Cancer

Question 1

Can tumours be caused by communicable diseases as well?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

What is an example of a tumour caused by a communicable disease?

Answer 2

the bacteria agrobacterium tumefaciens causes crown galls in plants. HPV can cause cervical cancer in humans

Question 3

What are Benign tumours?

Answer 3

Growth of abnormal cells in one place (usually the membrane)

Question 4

Can Benign tumours be dangerous?

Answer 4

Yes, they grow large very quickly and can pressure or damage an organ which can be life threatening. E.g. one in the brain can be vey dangerous because there is not enough space for it to grow into

Question 5

What are some causes of cancer?

Answer 5

genes, mutations caused by asbestos or tar (carcinogens), ionising radiation e.g. x-rays or uv light, viruses e.g HPV

Question 6

How do they treat cancer?

Answer 6

The main ways are with radiotherapy + chemotherapy

Question 7

How does radiotherapy work? Are there any cons?

Answer 7

by targetted radiation, which stops mitosis in cancer cells. Yes, it can damage healthy cells

Question 8

How does chemotherapy work? Are there any cons?

Answer 8

where chemicals are used to either stop the cells dividing or to make cells ‘self-destruct’