Cancer

• What is cancer caused by?

  Uncontrolled cell growth and division
• What results from uncontrolled cell growth and division?


  Formation of a tumour
• What are the two types of tumours?

  Benign and malignant
• How does a benign tumour behave?


  It grows until there's no more room and stays in one place
• What characterizes a malignant tumour?


  It grows and spreads to neighbouring healthy tissues
• What can malignant cells do once they break off?


  They can spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream
• Why are malignant tumours considered dangerous?


  They can invade healthy tissues and are often fatal
• Can anyone develop cancer?


  Yes, anyone can develop cancer
• What do risk factors indicate about cancer?


  They increase the chance of developing the disease
• How have cancer survival rates changed over time?


  They have increased due to medical advances
• What are some lifestyle risk factors for cancer?

  • Smoking: linked to lung, mouth, bowel, stomach, and cervical cancer
  • Obesity: linked to bowel, liver, and kidney cancer
  • UV exposure: increases risk of skin cancer
  • Viral infection: hepatitis B and C increase liver cancer risk
• What is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer?

  Obesity
• How does UV exposure affect cancer risk?


  It increases the chance of developing skin cancer
• Who is at higher risk of developing skin cancer?


  People frequently exposed to UV radiation
• How can viral infections increase cancer risk?


  Some viruses can increase the chances of developing certain types of cancer
• Which viruses are linked to an increased risk of liver cancer?

  Hepatitis B and hepatitis C
• How can hepatitis viruses be spread?


  Through unprotected sex or sharing needles
• What can sometimes make a person more susceptible to cancer?

  Inherited faulty genes
• What mutations are linked to breast and ovarian cancer?


  Mutations in the BRCA genes
• What is a benign tumour?


  A benign tumour is a non-cancerous growth that does not invade healthy tissue.
• What is typically present in a benign tumour?


  A benign tumour usually has a membrane surrounding it.
• How do benign tumours affect surrounding cells?


  Benign tumours do not affect other cells.
• What are secondary tumours?


  Secondary tumours are tumours that develop elsewhere in the body from cancer cells that have spread.
• What is a malignant tumour?


  A malignant tumour is cancer that involves uncontrolled growth and division of cells.
• How do malignant tumours affect healthy tissue?


  Malignant tumours invade healthy tissue.
• How do tumour cells spread in the body?


  Tumour cells can travel in the blood to spread to other parts of the body.
• What are some risk factors for cancer?

  Risk factors for cancer include lifestyle factors like smoking and genetic factors.
• How can genetics influence cancer risk?


  Some people inherit faulty genes that make them more susceptible to cancer.
• What are the key differences between benign and malignant tumours?


  • Benign tumours:
  • Non-cancerous
  • Do not invade healthy tissue
  • Usually have a membrane
  • Do not affect other cells
  • Malignant tumours:
  • Cancerous
  • Uncontrolled growth and division
  • Invade healthy tissue
  • Can spread through blood
• What are the main factors that can cause cancer?


  Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors
• What is a tumour?


  An abnormal mass of cells resulting from uncontrolled growth and division
• How do cells in a benign tumour behave?


  They are contained within one area and do not affect other cells
• What is the main characteristic of malignant tumours?


  They can spread to other parts of the body
• Why are malignant tumours considered more dangerous than benign tumours?


  They can cause lots of damage to the body
• What are some risk factors associated with cancer?

  • Smoking: lung, mouth, stomach, cervical cancer
  • Obesity: bowel, liver, kidney cancer
  • Ultraviolet light: skin cancer
  • Alcohol: liver cancer
• How does ultraviolet (UV) radiation contribute to skin cancer?


  It damages skin cells
• What is the role of the BRCA gene in cancer?


  It is associated with breast and ovarian cancer
• How can faulty genes affect cancer susceptibility?


  They can make individuals more susceptible to cancer