Understanding Cancer: Types and Causes

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes cancer as a disease?

Uniformity in cell function

Presence of a protective capsule

Uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells (correct)

Controlled growth of normal cells

What is the term used to describe new growth of tissue that serves no physiological function?

Tumor

Biopsy

Metastasis

Neoplasm (correct)

Which type of cancer is characterized by cancerous cells in the blood-forming tissues?

Leukaemia (correct)

Sarcoma

Carcinoma

Adenoma

What process describes the ability of malignant tumors to spread to other organs?

Metastasis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of cancer is typically a result of mutated epithelial cells?

Carcinoma Signup and view all the answers

What term is used for the microscopic examination of cell development?

Biopsy Signup and view all the answers

What type of cancer is characterized by a malignant tumor of connective tissue?

Sarcoma Signup and view all the answers

What stage of cancer is indicated when a tumor is classified as benign?

Non-cancerous stage Signup and view all the answers

Which agent is associated with the highest estimated number of cancer cases worldwide in 2000?

HBV, HCV, flukes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following infections is linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of worldwide cancer cases in 2000 was attributed to stomach cancer related to H.pylori?

4.4% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following agents is NOT listed as a chemical cause of cancer?

Silica dust Signup and view all the answers

What lifestyle factor significantly contributes to obesity-related cancers?

Low physical activity Signup and view all the answers

Which type of external cause is directly attributed to skin cancer?

Ultraviolet radiation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can increase the risk of cancer due to occupational exposure?

Exposure to asbestos Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of lung cancers is attributed to smoking?

9 in 10 Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of cancers is believed to be hereditary?

5-10% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary external factor contributing to cancer deaths?

Smoking Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cancer is linked to the BRCA 1&2 genes?

Ovarian cancer Signup and view all the answers

Which virus is associated with cervical cancer?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these factors has been shown to decrease the risk of breast cancer?

Having many children Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cancers show familial patterns?

Prostate cancer Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Helicobacter pylori bacteria play in cancer?

Causes stomach ulcers, which can lead to stomach cancer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following lifestyle factors is NOT considered a risk for cancer?

Physical activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the lifetime risk concerning cancer?

It measures the chance of developing or dying from cancer Signup and view all the answers

What intrinsic factor can influence cancer development in individuals?

Inherited mutations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is a group of diseases marked by uncontrolled abnormal cell growth and spread
Neoplasm is a new tissue growth with no physiological function
Tumor is a clump of neoplasmic cells
Malignant tumor is cancerous
Benign tumor is noncancerous
Biopsy is a microscopic examination of cell development
Metastasis is the spread of malignant tumors that are not enclosed in a protective capsule to other organs
Mutant cells are abnormal cells with disrupted RNA and DNA, causing changes in form, quality, and function

Types of Cancer

Carcinomas are cancers of epithelial tissue
Sarcomas are cancers of connective tissue
Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system
Leukemias are cancers of blood-forming tissues
Adenomas are tumors of glandular epithelial tissue
Specific cell names often prefix the cancer type

What Causes Cancer?

External Factors: Chemicals, radiation, viruses, and lifestyle
Internal Factors: Hormones, immune conditions, and inherited mutations
Cellular change/mutation theories propose that cancer arises from genetic changes
Carcinogens are cancer-causing agents
Oncogenes and protooncogenes are genes that can regulate cell growth and development, and mutations in these genes can contribute to cancer

Risks For Cancer

Lifetime risk is the probability of developing or dying from cancer over a lifetime
Relative risk measures how strongly risk factors are related to a specific cancer
Smoking is linked to 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of lung cancer deaths
Obesity increases the risk of breast and colon cancer

Carcinogenesis

Heredity plays a role in 5-10% of cancers, and potentially 15% of all cancers
Genes like RB1, APC, HNPCC, BRCA1 & 2, and p53 have been linked to familial cancer syndromes

Biological Factors

Breast, stomach, colon, prostate, uterus, ovary, and lung cancers can be familial
Hodgkin’s disease and certain leukemias also show familial patterns

Immunity

HIV/AIDS and immunosuppression increase cancer risk

Reproductive And Hormonal Risks

Pregnancy and oral contraceptives can increase breast cancer risk
Late menarche, early menopause, early childbirth, and having many children can reduce breast cancer risk

Virus’s

Hepatitis B, human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human papillomavirus (HPV) are associated with cancer

Viral Factors

Herpes-related viruses may be involved in leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, cervical cancer, and Burkitt’s lymphoma
EBV, associated with mononucleosis, may contribute to cancer
HPV, causing genital warts, is linked to cervical cancer
Helicobacter pylori, causing ulcers, is a major factor in stomach cancer

Bacterial Factors

H. pylori is linked to stomach cancer
Parasites like Schistosoma spp. and Clonorchis sinensis can increase cancer risk

Chemical Causes

Alcohol, asbestos, wood dust, rubber, plastics, dyes, tar, bitumen, aflatoxin, alkylating agents, and tobacco are known carcinogens

External causes of cancer: ultraviolet radiation

Sunlight and certain industrial sources emit ultraviolet radiation, which can contribute to cancer

Physical Causes

Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and industrial sources can cause cancer
Radiation exposure from radon and cancer treatment can also increase cancer risk

Lifestyle factors: diet

High caloric diet, rich in fat, refined carbohydrates, and animal protein, combined with low physical activity, can increase cancer risk

Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension

Lifestyle

Age, occupation, ethnicity, and deprivation can affect cancer risk

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamentals of cancer, including its definitions, types, and causes. Learn about malignant and benign tumors, the different classifications of cancer, and the factors that contribute to its development. Test your knowledge on important terms and concepts related to this complex disease.