cancer

• What does cancer represent?

  A broad spectrum of disease types
• How many different types of cancer are there?

  More than 200
• Why is cancer considered a disease of the genome?

  It involves genetic mutations at the cellular level
• What do all cancers exhibit?

  Unregulated cell proliferation and metastasis
• What leads to cancer development?

  Accumulation of genetic mutations and chromosome defects
• How many genes are known to be involved in cancer development?

  Over 500
• What is cell proliferation?

  The process of cell growth and division
• What is metastasis?

  The spread of cancer cells to other body parts
• What does polymorphism mean?

  A variation in DNA that increases cancer risk
• What is a mutation?

  Change in gene structure that can be inherited
• What causes spontaneous mutations?

  Errors in DNA replication and repair
• What are induced mutations?

  Mutations arising from exposure to mutagens
• How many mutations are needed for a cell to be cancerous?

  6-10 mutations
• What are the two main categories of cancer genes?

  Tumor suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes
• What do tumor suppressor genes do?

  They restrain cell growth and prevent malignancy
• What are proto-oncogenes?

  Genes that promote cell growth control
• What percentage of cancer is sporadic?

  70-80%
• What characterizes familial cancer?

  Family history and multiple affected members
• What is hereditary cancer?

  Cancer with specific gene mutations and predictable inheritance
• What is the lifetime risk of breast cancer?

  1 in 8
• How can early detection of breast cancer be achieved?

  Through regular screening and clinical exams
• What is the purpose of clinical breast exams?

  To detect abnormalities in breast tissue
• How often should women in their 20s and 30s have clinical breast exams?

  Every 3 years
• What is mammography?

  X-ray screening of breast tissue
• What does breast ultrasound differentiate?

  Solid masses from fluid-filled cysts
• What is the purpose of an MRI in breast cancer diagnosis?

  To show precise tumor location and multiple detections
• What is a biopsy?

  A procedure for definitive cancer diagnosis
• What does tissue analysis determine?

  Cancer cell detection and tumor classification
• What does immunohistochemistry test for?

  Specific proteins and markers in cancer cells
• What is the lifetime risk for BRCA1 mutation carriers?

  50-70% by age 70
• What is the lifetime risk for BRCA2 mutation carriers?

  40-60% by age 70
• What is the purpose of BRCA1/2 genes?

  To regulate DNA repair and prevent cell division
• What are the effects of BRCA mutations?

  Compromised DNA repair and increased cancer risk
• What are the benefits of genetic testing?

  Accurate risk assessment and alleviated anxiety
• What are the limitations of genetic testing for BRCA1/2?

  Does not identify all hereditary cancer causes
• What are the management strategies for hereditary cancer?

  Surveillance, chemo prevention, and prophylactic surgery
• What is the lifetime risk of ovarian cancer?

  1 in 70
• Why is ovarian cancer considered more aggressive?

  It has limited early detection methods
• At what stage is ovarian cancer primarily diagnosed?

  Stage 3-4
• What is the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer?

  45%