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