Cancer

• Tumor


  An abnormal mass of cells that forms when a group of cells undergo uncontrolled growth and division
• Tumors


  • There are two different types: benign and malignant
  • Benign tumors are contained within one area usually within a membrane and are not normally dangerous
  • Malignant tumors can invade other tissues and spread to different parts of the body where they can form new secondary tumors, causing damage and potentially being fatal
• Cancer


  Malignant tumors that are able to invade other tissues and spread to different parts of the body
• Risk factors that increase the chance of developing cancer

  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Ultraviolet light exposure
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Inherited genes (e.g. BRCA genes linked to breast and ovarian cancer)
• Smoking


  Linked to lung cancer and other cancers (mouth, stomach, cervical)
• Obesity


  Linked to multiple cancers (bowel, liver, kidney)
• Ultraviolet light exposure


  Strongly linked to skin cancer
• Drinking alcohol


  Linked to increased risk of liver cancer
• Risk factors aren't always lifestyle choices, sometimes it's inherited genes that make us more susceptible to certain cancers
• Benign tumor


  Growth of abnormal cells which are found in one area, contained within a membrane, do not invade or spread to other parts of the body
• Malignant tumor


  Malignant cells invade neighboring tissues, move into the bloodstream, spread to different parts of the body and form new tumors (secondary tumors)
• Malignant tumor cells are classed as a cancer
• Risk factors for developing cancer

  • Genetic (e.g. certain types of breast cancer, prostate cancer, cancer of the large intestine)
  • Lifestyle (e.g. lung cancer linked to smoking, skin cancer linked to UV exposure, mouth and throat cancer linked to alcohol)
  • Environmental (e.g. radon, a radioactive gas that increases risk of lung cancer)
• Radon releases ionizing radiation that damages DNA in cells, causing uncontrolled cell division leading to cancer
• You'll find plenty of questions on cancer in the revision workbook