Risk Factors 1 Flashcards
What is inflammation?
Immune system response to
Why is old age a significant risk factor for cancer?
The longer you’re alive, the more mutations you’re have likely to accumulated
What are chemical carcinogens? How do they cause DNA damage?
Chemicals that cause cancer damaging the DNA by altering its structure
Who is at an increased risk for exposure to chemical carcinogens?
Chemists, people in the rubber industry, miners and construction workers
How does high energy electromagnetic radiation cause DNA damage?
UV light have enough energy to break thymine bases while x-rays and y-rays can break double and single helix strands
How does tanning occur and how does it relate to cancer risk?
Tanning is the process of the skin producing melanin in response to DNA damage which increases risk of cancer (more cell damager more risk of cancer)
How does skin color relate to skin cancer risk and detection?
The darker your skin is the lower your risk
What are viruses?
Non-living pathogens that “hijack” cells into doing its business
How do some viruses cause cancer?
They can cause chronic inflammation
What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus aka large group of viruses impacting skin and mucous membrane
What do some strains of HPV have in their genome that can cause cancer in humans?
2 oncogenes (E6 and E7) which inhibit p53s and pRB
How does getting the HPV vaccine relate to cervical cancer risk?
HPV vaccine only prevents HPV induced cancer so likely decrease risk
