Cancer Flashcards
What causes cancer?
Changes to cells that leads to uncontrolled cell growth and division - this results in a tumour (mass of cells)
What are benign tumours?
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.
What are malignant tumours?
Cells are cancerous, invade neighbouring tissues (forming secondary tumours) and spread to different parts of the body in the blood.
What are the lifestyle factors for cancer?
Smoking
Obesity
Viral infection
UV exposure
What are the genetic factors for cancer?
Genes are inherited from parents, so you can inherit faulty genes that make you more likely to get cancer.
Why are people more likely to survive cancer now?
- Treatments have improved
- Doctors can diagnose cancer earlier
- More people being screened for cancer
- People know more about risk factors for cancer
