Cancer

Question 1

Name some causes of cancer

Answer 1

Obesity, smoking, alcohol, air pollution, hormones, workplace exposure, lack of breast feeding and processed meat

Question 2

Properties of benign tumours

Answer 2

Differentiated cells, perform normal job, overproliferate, slow growth, expanding mass, localised, encapsulated, life threatening in certain locations

Question 3

Properties of malignant tumours

Answer 3

Undifferentiated cells, don’t perform normal job, overproliferates, rapid cell growth, infiltrates tissue, life threatening as stops tissue function

Question 4

Properties of a cancer cell

Answer 4

Foreign antigens causing inflammatory response
Large nuclei for rapid cell division
Lots of mitochondria
Secretes hormones altering metabolic processes
Lack adhesion so invade local areas

Question 5

Impacts of cancer cells on immune system

Answer 5

Loss of cell communication allowing tumour growth
Increased energy expenditure for cancer cells depriving normal cells of nutrients
Rapid angiogenesis providing blood supply to tumours
Cancer cells have increased motility affecting other areas

Question 6

Stages of development of tumour growth

Answer 6

1. Carcinogenic agent damages DNA
2. Mutation in cell genes
3. Activation of oncogenes (tumour creating genes)
4. Unregulated cell growth and differentiation
5. Malignant tumour

Question 7

Name the tropisms of each type of cancer

a) bone to ……
b) colon to …..
c) lung to ……
d) prostate to …..
e) melanoma to ….. (multiple choices)

Answer 7

Breast to bone
Colon to liver
Lung to brain
Prostate to bone
Melanoma to lung, liver, brain and lymph

Question 8

Classify grade 1-4 of cancer stages

Answer 8

1+2) well differentiated, resemble tissue of origin

3+4) highly undifferentiated, little or no resemblance to tissue of origin

Question 9

List some warning signs of cancer

Answer 9

Unusual bleeding/discharge
Change in bowel/bladder habits
Change in wart/mole
Sore that doesn’t heal
Unexplained weight loss
Anaemia, low Hb, fatigue
Cough/hoarseness for no reason
Lumps

Question 10

Name the 3 stages of cancer progression

Answer 10

Initiation - DNA damage
Promotion - chronic inflammation caused by cancer cells
Progression - continued promotion, tumour growth

Question 11

Name examples of cancer treatment

Answer 11

Surgery
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Hormone therapy
Immunotherapy
Bone marrow/ stem cell transplant

Question 12

State some preventions of cancer

Answer 12

Screening
Exercise/diet
Vaccinations
Skin protection
Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol consumption
Protect against industrial carcinogens eg X-ray

Question 13

State some breast cancer symptoms

Answer 13

Change in size or shape
Redness/rash
Discharge from nipple
Swelling in armpit
Lump
Change in skin texture
Inverted nipple
Pain in breast/armpit

Question 14

State some prostate cancer symptoms

Answer 14

Passing urine more frequently/difficulties passing
Getting up in the night
Urgency/leaking 
Blood in urine
Raised PSA

Question 15

State some lung cancer symptoms

Answer 15

Persistent cough
Shortness of breath 
Blood in sputum
Pain in chest
Loss of appetite/weight
Fatigue

Question 16

State some bowel cancer symptoms

Answer 16

Bleeding from rectum
Blood in faeces 
Change in bowel habits
Pain in abdomen/rectum
Losing weight 
Fatigue/SOB
Bowel obstruction

Question 17

State some melanoma symptoms

Answer 17

Asymmetry
Change in border
Change in colour
Itching/bleeding
Large diameter 
Elevation

Question 18

State some symptoms of basal cell carcinoma symptoms

Answer 18

Small slow growing lump
Shiny and pink
Spot/sore that doesn’t heal