Brio Grad 10 | Cancer Cells

Cell division gone wrong

How does cancer occur?

change in DNA = out-of-control cell growth

Tumour

rapidly growing cells form a lump; may or may not affect surround cells

Benign tumour

crowding of cells; no serious effect on surrounding cells

Malignant tumour

interferes with functions of surrounding cells

Secondary tumour (metastasis)

a group of cells that break away from tumour; spreads to other parts of the body

Metastasis cancer

cancer cells get into blood = travel throughout the body = other body parts have cancer cells = cancer cells divide = cancer spreads

Causes of cancer

mutations, carcinogens and heredity

Mutations

random change in DNA; cells behave abnormally

Carcinogens

environmental factors (e.g. UV radiations)

Heredity

DNA carries info of disease from generation to generation

Diagnosing cancer

cancer screening, imaging technology and medical tests

Cancer screening

chance of early detection; checks if DNA is linked to cancer

Imaging technology

endoscopy, X-ray, ultrasound, CT/CAT scan, MRI and biopsy

Treating cancer

surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and biophotonics

Surgery

removal of cancer cells

Chemotherapy

drug that slows down/stops growth of cancer cells

Radiation

focused beam damages cancer DNA

Biophotonics

light energy to diagnose and treat living cells