Aging and Cancer

What happens to cell division as we reach our middle ages

There is an increasing number of faulty cell divisions which can lead to problems such as Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and heart and kidney failure.

Aging genes

Hundreds of genes that are directly linked to development and aging

Telomeres

Regions of DNA located at the end of each chromosome

How centromere location is affected by aging

Centromeres sometimes do not align properly during metaphase due to missing or malfunctioning proteins. As a result, cell division is stalled until they align

Relationship between old age and cell division

as you age cell division will slow down affecting bodily functions

Cancer

group of diseases in which cells grow and divide out of control

What causes cancer

mutations in the DNA

tumour

mass of cells that continue to grow and divide without any obvious function in the body

benign tumour

does not affect surrounding tissues and is not considered cancerous, however, they overcrowd surrounding cells and tissues

malignant tumour

cancerous tumour that interferes with the functioning of surrounding cells

metastasis

when the cancer cells break away from the primary tumour and spread to a different part of the body

carcinogen

environmental factors that cause cancer such as tobacco smoke, radiation, viruses, etc.

hereditary cancer

DNA mutations passed on from generation to generation, causing cancer

cancer screening

checking for cancer if there are no symptoms

pap test

test women do by taking a sample of cervical cells to check for cervical cancer

PSA test

blood test men do to check for prostate cancer

ABCD of moles

self examination to check for suspicious moles

reducing the risk of cancer

through lifestyle choices such as avoiding carcinogens and consuming super foods high in antioxidants

antioxidants

protect your body from free radicals