Unit 5 Cancer Flashcards
what is the most commonly diagnosed cancer
non-malignant melanoma
what is non-malignant melanoma
skin cancer
what is cancer
the abnormal uncontrolled multiplication of cells due to genetic mutations that disrupt the cell cycle
what does abnormal uncontrolled multiplication of cells lead to
neoplasms that can spread
what is a neoplasms
tumours
what does it mean for a tumour to be benign
it does not spread
what does it mean for a tumour to be malignant
it spreads and can be life threatening
what is cancer metastasis
malignant tumour cells invade blood or lymphatic vessels and spread to distant sites and produce secondary tumours
what causes mutations that lead to tumours
exposure to carcinogens
what are the three causes of cancer
carcinogenic chemicals, radiation, and pathogens
what is the main form of cancer spreading
attachment
how do tumours damage the body
whether benign or malignant, they can block a blood vessel, compromise a nerve, or otherwise interfere with normal body function
do blood cancers produce tumours
no
describe an advanced tumours
they have a blood supply and can use up supplies of energy and nutrients meant for healthy cells
what’s the most common cancer for females
breast cancer
what’s the most common cancer for males
prostate
what is the rarest form of skin cancer
malignant melanoma
describe a carcinoma
they grow slowly, and easy to treat
what are the risk factors of skin cancer
fair skin and hair, tendency to develop freckles and burn in the sun, family history of melanoma, and large number of moles
what are the risk factors of breast cancer
age, genetics, and age at onset of menstruation
if breast cancer is caught early what is the survival rate
above 80%
how is breast cancer detected
mammograms
when does breast cancer become dangerous
when it metastasized via lymph nodes, forming secondary tumours
what is the treatment for breast cancer
surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy
what are the risk factors for lung cancer
smoking, second hand smoke, asbestos, and pollution
what is the 5-year survival rate of lung cancer
below 20%
what is a prostate
a walnut sized gland near the bladder
what is the function of the prostate
it secretes fluid that becomes part of semen
if detected early, what is the survival rate of prostate cancer
around 95%
what are the risk factors of prostate cancer
age, obesity, physical inactivity, and history of STIs
what is a common symptom of prostate cancer
changes in urinary frequency or flow
what are the screening methods for prostate cancer
digital recta, exam, and prostate-specific antigen test
what are the treatment options for prostate cancer
surgery to remove prostate, radiation, cryotherapy, and drugs
what does colorectal cancer begin with
polyps
what is the screening for colorectal cancer
endoscopy
what are the risk factors for colorectal cancer
older age, male sex, inflammatory bowel disease and family history; obesity, smoking, alcohol abuse, red/processed meats may increase risk
what are the symptoms of colorectal cancer
change in bowel movements, pain/tenderness in abdomen, and blood in feces
where is the cervix
between the uterus and the vagina
what is the leading risk factor for cervical cancer
human papilloma virus
what causes virtually all cervical cancers
HPV
what is the screening for cervical cancer
regular PAP tests aid early detection of precancerous cells
what are the two types of HPV
high risk and low risk
what is caused by high risk HPV
cancer
what is caused by low risk HPV
plantar warts and genital warts
what does screening involve
general examinations done on apparently healthy populations to identify those who may potentially have a disease
what is a biopsy
involves removal of tissue that is suspected to be diseased for further examination
what are the main treatments of cancer
surgical removal, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and hormone therapy
what is chemotherapy
the use of drugs to target and kill cancer cells
why does hair fall out during chemotherapy
the drugs affects not only cancer cells but normal body cells that tend to divide more often
what is radiation therapy
beams are focused from several directions resting in a higher dose at the tumour to kill cancer cells
what form of cancer is radiation often used for
useful for localized tumours
what is immunotherapy
stimulating the immune system with drugs
what is gene therapy
modifying the genetic material of cancer cells
what is used for gene therapy
altered viruses to deliver genetic material
what is hormone therapy used for
to block hormone receptors or lower hormone levels
what is the primary prevention for cancer
personal level, don’t smoke, reduce exposure to carcinogens, and cancer smart nutrition
