Cancer

• what is mitosis?

  Cell division process.
• why does cell division take place?

  growth and repair
• how is a tumour produced?

  changes in the genes that leads to uncontrolled growth and mitosis
• 2 types of cancer:

  1. benign

  2. malignant.
• what are benign tumours?

  growths of abnormal cells that are found in 1 area in a membrane and don't invade other parts of the body
• what are malignant tumours?

  cells that invade tissues and move into the bloodstream
• which tumour is classified as cancer?

  Malignant
• what happens when malignant cells are in the bloodstream?

  cells spread to different parts of the body and form new tumours = secondary tumours
• risk factors of cancer

  • genetics- can be inherited (breast cancer, prostate cancer, cancer of large intestines)
  • lifestyle- smoking (lung cancer), UV light (skin cancer), alcohol (mouth and throat cancer)
• what is radon?


  radioactive gas which increases the risk of lung cancer

  • releases ionising radiation which damages DNA in our cells= causes undergoing uncontrolled cell division= cancer
• Benign tumors


  Growths of abnormal cells that are found in one area of a membrane, but they do not invade other parts of the body. This means that they do not spread to other tissues or organs, and they are generally not cancerous. However, benign tumors can still cause problems if they grow too large or if they press on nearby tissues or organs.