Non-Communicable Diseases Flashcards
When does cancer occur?
When cells begin to divide out of control. They form tumours that can sometimes be felt as an unusual lump on the body
What are the types of tumours?
Benign and malignant
What are benign tumours?
Tumours that don’t invade nearby tissues or spread around the body. They can be serious if they press on vital structures (e.g. blood vessels, nerves)
What are malignant tumours?
Tumours that are made up of cells that are out of control. They can invade nearby tissues and spread around the body, as well as take over organs.
What is a tumour?
A mass of abnormally growing cells
What is metastasis?
Where cells move away from the primary cancer site through the bloodstream or lymphatic system and can be spread to other organs and bones where they continue to grow
What are cancer risk factors?
Sunlight exposure, diet, genes, viruses, chronic infections, environmental pollution, alcoholism, obesity, physical activity, breastfeeding, reproductive and menstrual factors, smoking
What are treatments for cancer?
Chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy
How does smoking cause cancer?
A mutation is formed every 15 cigarettes smoked - a mutation is what causes cancer
How does nicotine affect the body?
Produces sensation of a calm wellbeing to cope but it’s extremely addictive
How does carbon monoxide affect the body?
Reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells
How does tar affect the body?
Black sticky compound that accumulates in the lungs, may cause development of COPD and bronchitis
What is bronchitis?
The inflammation and infection of the bronchi
What does COPD stand for?
Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease
What does COPD do?
Causes aggressive breakdown of alveoli, surface area to volume ratio of lungs is greatly reduced, causes breathlessness
What is the treatment for COPD?
No cure
What are the implications of smoking?
Could normalise smoking, mood swings, yellow fingers, second hand smoke, infertility, cancer, COPD, bronchitis, costs NHS 2 billion pounds per year, smoking while pregnant harms baby, diseases, death
What does smoking during pregnancy cause?
Premature birth, low birth rate, still birth (around 3500 still births in UK each year, 20% caused by smoking)
How does smoking affect the heart?
Narrows the blood vessels in your heart, nicotine increases heart rate, other chemicals damage artery lining, increased blood pressure
What is a carcinogen?
A substance that increases the risk of cancer in a living tissue
In small amounts how does alcohol affect a person?
Makes them calm and cheerful
In large amounts what does alcohol do to a person?
Lack of self control, unconsciousness, death
How does alcohol affect someone?
Affects nervous system (e.g. reflexes, reaction time)
How is alcohol absorbed?
Absorbed through the bloodstream where it reaches the brain and other tissues
