Cancer

Question 1

What causes cancer?

Answer 1

Changes to cells that leads to uncontrolled cell growth and division - this results in a tumour (mass of cells)

Question 2

What are benign tumours?

Answer 2

Masses of abnormal cells that stay in one place - usually within a membrane. Don’t invade other parts of the body so normally isn’t dangerous + tumour isn’t cancerous.

Question 3

What are malignant tumours?

Answer 3

Cells are cancerous, invade neighbouring tissues (forming secondary tumours) and spread to different parts of the body in the blood.

Question 4

What are the lifestyle factors for cancer?

Answer 4

Smoking
Obesity
Viral infection
UV exposure

Question 5

What are the genetic factors for cancer?

Answer 5

Genes are inherited from parents, so you can inherit faulty genes that make you more likely to get cancer.

Question 6

Why are people more likely to survive cancer now?

Answer 6

• Treatments have improved
• Doctors can diagnose cancer earlier
• More people being screened for cancer
• People know more about risk factors for cancer