Cancer

What is cancer, and why does it make you ill?

Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled and abnormal cellular growth caused by genetic mutations that disrupt the regulation of cell division. It makes you ill because the abnormal growth can form tumors that invade healthy tissues, disrupt normal bodily functions, and deprive normal cells of nutrients and oxygen

What are the key differences between benign and malignant tumors?

Benign tumors are non-cancerous, grow slowly, and do not invade other tissues or spread. Malignant tumors are cancerous, grow rapidly, invade nearby tissues, and can spread to other parts of the body (metastasize)

How do normal cells differ from cancerous cells?

Normal cells communicate via chemical signals, have regulated division, and stop dividing at a certain density. Cancerous cells lack effective communication, continue dividing uncontrollably, and ignore signals for programmed cell death (apoptosis).

Explain the role of mutations in cancer development.

 Mutations in DNA can lead to cancer by turning proto-oncogenes into oncogenes, causing uncontrolled cell division, or by inactivating tumor suppressor genes, which normally halt cell division. These genetic changes allow cancer cells to evade normal regulatory mechanisms

What actions can be taken to reduce the risk of cancer?

Actions include avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, exercising regularly, protecting against UV radiation, and avoiding known carcinogens. Regular screenings and vaccinations (e.g., HPV vaccine) also help reduce risk.

How are cancers diagnosed?

Cancers are diagnosed through various methods, including physical exams, imaging tests (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs), blood tests, biopsies, and other diagnostic tools like mammograms and Pap tests.

What are common methods used to treat cancer?

Treatment methods include surgery (removal of tumors), radiation therapy, chemotherapy (using drugs to kill cancer cells), immunotherapy (boosting the immune system to fight cancer), and angiogenesis inhibitors (blocking the blood supply to tumors).

What is angiogenesis, and how does it relate to cancer?

 Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels form to supply nutrients and oxygen to tissues. In cancer, tumors induce angiogenesis to secure their own blood supply, depriving normal cells of nutrients and aiding in tumor growth and metastasis.

Describe the process of metastasis in cancer

Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from the original tumor site to other parts of the body. Cancer cells break away, enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and form secondary tumors in new locations.

What are the key differences between carcinomas, sarcomas, lymphomas, and leukemias?

• Carcinomas: Arise from epithelial cells (e.g., skin, breast, lung).

• Sarcomas: Originate in connective tissues (e.g., bone, muscle).

• Lymphomas: Cancer of the lymphatic system.

• Leukemias: Cancer of blood-forming tissues, causing an overproduction of immature white blood cells

How can melanoma be identified using the ABCD rule?

• A: Asymmetry - one half of the mole doesn’t match the other.

• B: Border - edges are irregular.

• C: Color - varied or uneven color.

• D: Diameter - larger than 6 mm.