Unit 5: Cancer Flashcards
Explain what cancer is.
What is metastasis and explain how it occurs.
Cancer is the abnormal, uncontrolled multiplication of cells due to DNA mutations that disrupt the cell cycle
Primary tumor is established and recruits normal cells as envoys
Cancer cells don’t stick as well to each other as normal cells do, so they break off easily, cancer cells float freely
Normal cells will relocate and attract free-floating cancer cells, forming a secondary tumor
Metastasis continues past secondary tumor
How can tumors (cancer) damage the body?
Tumors can block blood/lymphatic vessels and interfere with body function
Advanced tumors can use up supplies of energy and nutrients meant for healthy cells
How does a tumor form from cancer?
What are the two types of tumors?
Cells multiply rapidly with no checkpoints, eventually forming a tumor
Benign (non-spreading and local, less dangerous but still is), Malignant (spreads, more dangerous)
What are the 4 types of malignant tumors?
Explain what each arise in
Carcinomas: Arise from epithelia, tissue that surrounds/protects
Sarcomas : Arise from bone, cartilage, striated muscle
Lymphomas: Arise in the lymphatic tissue
Leukemia: Arise in blood-forming cells, usually in the bone marrow
Describe skin cancer. What is it known for?
What are the 2 common types of cancer?
Highest incidence but mostly cured
Basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas
What are risk factors, prevention methods and treatments to skin cancer?
Risk factors: light skin, hair and eye colour, history of UV exposure and burning, lots of moles, tendency to burn in the sun, tendency to form freckles, family history
Treatments: surgery, immunotherapy
Preventions: sunscreen, avoiding UV light exposure and tanning lamps
What are signs/symptoms of skin cancer?
- moles, sores, and spots changing colour, shape, symmetry, size
What is breast cancer known for?
Most common cancer in women after non-malignant skin cancer
What are risk factors, prevention methods and treatments to breast cancer?
Risk factors: genetics, age, age at menopause, lifetime exposure to estrogen
Treatments: chemo, surgical removal, radiation, SERMS (drugs)
Prevention: regular screenings
What are signs/symptoms of breast cancer?
lump (through mammogram), irritation, thickening of tissue, swelling, nipple pain
When does breast and prostate cancer become dangerous? What is the survival rate before this happens?
Dangerous when it metastasizes
Breast cancer: >80% survival rate
Prostate cancer: >95% survival rate
What is prostate cancer known for?
Most common cancer in M (apart from non-malignant skin cancer)
Where is the prostate located?
Prostate located on base of bladder, surrounds urethra
What are risk factors, prevention methods and treatments to prostate cancer?
Risk factors: history of STIs, diet, physical inactivity, obesity, age
Treatments: cryotherapy, radiation, drugs, surgery
Preventions: digital rectal screening, prostate-specific antigen
What are signs/symptoms of prostate cancer?
usually none, but sometimes abnormal urine flow
What is lung cancer known for?
After diagnosis, what is the survival rate?
Cancer with most deaths
5 years after diagnosis: 20% survival rate
What are risk factors, prevention methods and treatments to lung cancer?
Risk factors: Carcinogens: smoking, second-hand smoking, asbestos, pollution
Treatments: surgery, chemo, radiation
Preventions: CT scanning, x-ray
Signs/symptoms for lung cancer
reoccurring cough, bronchitis, chest pain
What is colorectal cancer known for?
Describe it (in terms of polyps, stages, etc.)
3rd most common cancer in men and women
Forms polyps in beginning stages
Stage IV is cancerous
What are risk factors, prevention methods and treatments to colorectal?
Risk factors: inflammatory bowel disease, older age, red/processed meats, male sex
Treatments: Surgery, chemo, radiation
Preventions: Fecal blood screening, endoscopic techniques
Signs/symptoms for colorectal cancer
pain, irregular bowel movement
Where is the cervix?
How can cervical cancer be transmitted?
Cervix is between vagina and uterus
skin-skin contact
What are risk factors, prevention methods and treatments to cervical cancer?
Risk Factors: HPV, smoking
Treatments: surgery, chemo, cryotherapy, laser treatment
Preventions: regular pap tests, HPV vacc.
Describe the PROCESS in which cancer is detected, diagnosed and treated.
Explain an example for breast cancer.
Apparently healthy population gets regular screening
Those who test negative will go back to the pool of apparently healthy and will retake screening again later, those who test positive will move on to testing
Pool of people who tested positive will move onto testing. Those who test positive for the disease will move to treatment and those who test negative for specific disease will move back to apparently healthy population and will screen again later
screening: mammogram
testing: biopsy
