Cancer and it's Epidemiology

Question 1

Cancer arises in normal cells through what process?

Answer 1

Somatic mutation

Question 2

What are the different types of risk factors for cancer?

Answer 2

Environmental, Behavioural and Genetic

Question 3

Through what ways can a normal cell become a cancer cell?

Answer 3

No longer requires growth factors
Resistant to anti-growth signals
Resistant to death
Become invasive
Generate a blood supply

Question 4

What are the two classes of genes mutated in cancer?

Answer 4

Oncogenes

Tumour suppressor genes

Question 5

What do oncogenes normally do?

Answer 5

Usually promote cell growth, proliferation

and/or survival

Question 6

What do tumour suppressor genes normally do?

Answer 6

Usually regulate cell growth, proliferation and/or survival OR function to maintain genomic fidelity.

Question 7

How does HPV cause cancer?

Answer 7

HPV causes genetic alterations in oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes.

Question 8

Epidemiology

Answer 8

The branch of medicine which deals with the incidence,

distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health.

Question 9

What is the single biggest risk factor for breast cancer?

Answer 9

Obesity

Question 10

Why is obesity the biggest risk factor for breast cancer?

Answer 10

The more oestrogen the more breast cancer:
• Post menopausal oestrogen comes from fat
– Oestradiol (E2) stimulates cell proliferation and initiates mutations arising from replicative errors occurring during pre-mitotic DNA synthesis.
– The promotional effects of E2 then support the growth of cells harbouring mutations.