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Questions and Answers
What is a characteristic of cancerous cells during the progression stage?
What is one way the immune system may respond to cancerous cells?
What is a potential outcome if cancerous cells continue to grow?
What is the estimated lifetime risk of developing cancer in men in the US?
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What type of factor can increase an individual's risk of developing cancer?
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What is an example of a nonmodifiable risk factor for cancer?
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What is a modifiable risk factor for cancer that has the greatest impact, according to the American Cancer Society?
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What is an example of an infectious agent that can increase cancer risk?
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What is a characteristic of cancer cells?
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What is a tumor?
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What is the first stage of cancer development?
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What can happen to cells with mutated DNA?
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What happens during the promotion stage of cancer development?
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Why can't enzymes detect alterations in the DNA during the promotion stage?
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How long does it typically take for a mutated cell to double repeatedly into a tumor mass?
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What is true about not every tumor being malignant?
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Study Notes
What is Cancer?
- Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by cells that grow “out of control”
- Cancer cells reproduce spontaneously and independently, invading tissues and organs
What is a Tumor?
- A tumor is a newly formed mass of undifferentiated cells with no physiologic function
- Not all tumors are malignant or cancerous; some are benign and made up of cells that won't spread
How does Cancer Arise?
- Cancer arises from changes to normal cells (mutations) leading to a series of changes
- The three primary stages of cancer development: Initiation, Promotion, and Progression
Initiation
- Initiation occurs when a cell's DNA is mutated due to random, inherited, or environmental factors
- Mutated cells may engage in self-repair, self-destruction, or be destroyed by the immune system
Promotion
- During promotion, the genetically altered cell is stimulated to divide, and the mutated DNA is locked into each new cell's genetic instructions
- Promotion is the longest stage in cancer development, taking many years for a mutated cell to double repeatedly into a tumor mass
Progression
- During progression, cancerous cells grow out of control, growing their own blood vessels and invading adjacent tissues
- In the early stage of progression, the immune system can sometimes detect and destroy cancerous cells
Factors Influencing Cancer Risk
- In the US, the lifetime risk of developing cancer is 42% in men and 38% in women
- Factors influencing cancer risk include nonmodifiable factors (family history, genetic susceptibility) and modifiable factors (exposures, lifestyle choices)
- Modifiable risk factors with the greatest impact on individual cancer risk include tobacco use, weight, diet, and physical activity, infectious agents, and ultraviolet radiation
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of cancer biology, including the characteristics of cancer cells and the formation of tumors.