Answers to assignment questions:

• What is the definition of cancer?

  Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.
• What is the term for factors that cause cancer?

  Carcinogen
• What are the environmental factors that can cause cancer?

  • Naturally occurring exposures (ultraviolet light, radon gas, infectious agents)
  • Medical treatments (x-rays, ionizing radiation, medicine)
  • Lifestyle factors (nutrition, tobacco use, physical activity)
  • Viruses (e.g., HPV, chronic hepatitis B or C)
  • Workplace and household exposures (chemical carcinogens like alcohol, asbestos, tar, glues, tobacco)
  • Pollution
• How can you reduce the chance of getting cancer?

  • Education: slip, slop, slap (using sunscreens, sunglasses, long sleeve tops)
  • Stay out of the sun during 10am-3pm
  • Get regular cancer screening tests
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a healthy diet (limit processed meat and high-fat foods)
  • Avoid tobacco
  • Limit alcohol
  • Use protective equipment when handling chemicals
• What is the definition of a tumour?

  A tumour is an abnormal mass of tissue resulting from uncontrolled division of cells.
• What is the difference between malignant and benign tumours?

  • Malignant (cancerous):
  • Can spread to other parts of the body
  • May be confined to its original site initially (cancer in situ)
  • Benign (non-cancerous):
  • Cannot invade normal tissues or spread
  • Some may be precancerous
  • Can cause problems by pressing on nearby organs if they grow
• Why are malignant tumours considered more serious than benign tumours?

  Malignant tumours can spread to other parts of the body and invade tissues.
• How do malignant tumours spread?

  Malignant tumours spread when cancer cells break off the primary tumour and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system to form secondary tumours.
• What are the characteristics of cancerous and pre-cancerous cells compared to healthy cells?

  • Greater variability in cell size
  • Abnormal shape of cells and nuclei
  • Larger and darker nuclei due to excess DNA
  • Abnormal number of chromosomes arranged disorganized
  • Less cytoplasm in cancerous cells
• What is a skin biopsy?

  A skin biopsy is a procedure that removes a small sample of skin for testing.
• What are the three main types of skin cancer?

  The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
• What are the characteristics of basal cell carcinoma?

  • Most common, least dangerous form of skin cancer
  • Red, pale, or pearly in color
  • Appears as a lump or dry, scaly area
  • May ulcerate or fail to heal
  • Grows slowly, usually on sun-exposed areas
• What are the characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma?

  • Thickened, red scaly spot that may bleed easily
  • Crusts or ulcerates
  • Grows over some months, usually on sun-exposed areas
  • More likely in people over 50 years of age
• What are the characteristics of melanoma?

  • Most deadly form of skin cancer
  • Can spread to other parts of the body if untreated
  • Appears as a new spot or an existing spot that changes in color, size, or shape
  • Can appear on skin not normally exposed to the sun
• What are the most common cancers in Australia?

  The most common cancers in Australia are prostate, breast, colorectal, melanoma, and lung cancer.
• What percentage of all cancers diagnosed in Australia do the five most common cancers account for?

  These five cancers account for around 60% of all cancers diagnosed in Australia.