Cancer and Cell Division Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to cancer, its causes, effects, and treatments.

Cancer Cell

A cancer cell is one that continues to divide despite signals to stop growing and dividing.

Tumour

A rapidly growing mass of cells that can form a lump, often associated with cancer.

Apoptosis

The process of programmed cell death that normal cells undergo when they are old or damaged.

Benign Tumour

Tumour cells that grow locally and do not invade or metastasize; they are not cancerous.

Malignant Tumour

Cancer cells that invade neighboring tissues and can metastasize to distant sites in the body.

Metastasis

The process by which cancer cells break away from the original tumour and spread to other parts of the body.

Carcinogen

An environmental factor that causes cancer, such as tobacco smoke or radiation.

Mutation

A random change in DNA that may lead to cancerous growth if it affects crucial genes.

Chemotherapy

A treatment method using drugs that slow or stop cancer cell division and spread.

Radiation Therapy

A treatment method using ionizing radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells.

Biophotonics

A technology that uses beams of light to detect and treat cancer, providing fewer side effects.

Genomics

The study of gene mutations to develop personalized cancer treatments.

Normal Cell

A cell that divides and reproduces for a limited number of times and undergoes apoptosis when damaged.

Lung Cancer

A common type of cancer in Canadians over 40, primarily caused by smoking.

Screening

The process of checking for cancer in individuals, even if they show no symptoms.

DNA Damage

A change to the structure of DNA which can lead to mutations and cancer.

Breast Self-Exam

A regular check performed by women to detect lumps that may indicate breast cancer.

Age Factor

Cancer risk increases with age, with individuals often developing cancer later in life.

Leukemia

A blood cancer typically identified by a high ratio of white blood cells.

Irregularly Shaped Cells

A characteristic of cancer cells that can differ significantly in size and shape from normal cells.

Family History

A factor in cancer risk where genetic predispositions may increase the likelihood of developing specific cancers.

Healthy Diet

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables that may lower cancer risk but cannot prevent it entirely.

Regular Check-Ups

Scheduled medical appointments for monitoring potential signs of cancer.

Surgery

A cancer treatment involving the physical removal of a tumour.

Mitosis

A process through which cells make exact copies of themselves; often disrupted in cancer.

Fatigue

A common symptom experienced in cancer patients, often due to the disease or its treatment.

Diagnostic Imaging

Techniques used to visualize the interior of a body for diagnosing cancer.

Colonoscopy

A procedure to examine the large intestine for cancer or other conditions using a camera.

Healthy Weight

Maintaining a suitable body weight as a preventive measure against cancer.

Second-Hand Smoke

Tobacco smoke inhaled by non-smokers, which can still cause cancer risk.

Blood Tests

Tests performed to detect cancer through samples of blood, identifying issues such as abnormal cell counts.

Risk Factor

A characteristic or exposure that increases the likelihood of developing a disease like cancer.

Physical Crowding

The physical manifestation of benign tumours affecting nearby tissues by taking up space.

Secondary Tumour

A new cancerous growth that occurs after metastasis from an original tumour.