Biology B2 - Cancer

How is cancer caused?

by uncontrolled cell growth and division

What is the uncontrolled growth and division a result of?

changes that occur to the cells and results in the formation of a tumour

What is a tumour

mass of abnormally growing cells

Are all tumours cancerous?

No

What are the two types of tumours?

benign and malignant

Explain benign tumors

tumour grows until there's no more room. The tumour stays in one place (usually within a membrane) rather than invading other tissues in the body

Is a benign tumor cancerous?

No, normally it is harmless.

Explain malignant tumours

the tumour grows and spreads to neighbouring healthy tissue. Cells can break off and spread to other parts of the body by travelling in the bloodstream.

-Malignant cells then invade healthy tissues elsewhere in the body and form secondary tumours

Are malignant tumours cancerous?

Yes. They are dangerous and can be fatal. - They are cancers

Why have cancer survival rates increased?

- Medical advances such as improved treatment

- Being able to diagnose cancer earlier

- Increased screening for the disease

What are a lot of cancer risk factors associated with?

Lifestyle

List some risk factors that can increase chance of some cancers

-smoking

-obesity

-UV exposure

-viral infection

what types of cancers are linked to smoking?

linked to lung cancer. research has also linked it too other cancers such as mouth, bowel, stomach and cervical cancer

what types of cancers are linked to obesity?

bowel, liver, and kidney cancer

Obesity is 2nd biggest preventable cause of cancer

what type of cancer is linked to UV exposure?

skin cancer

what type of people are at a higher risk of skin cancer?

people who live in sunny climates & people who spend a lot of time outside. also people who frequently use sun beds

what type of cancer can infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses increase the risk of?

liver cancer