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B2 P) Cancer
B2 P) Cancer
A tumour is a mass of cells that comes about due to uncontrolled cell growth and cell division. Not all tumours are cancerous. There are two different types of tumours; benign and malignant:
The diagram below shows the two different types of tumours.
- Benign – these tumours are an abnormal lump or growth of cells that are contained in one particular area (usually in a membrane). The growth of cells remains within the membrane/ particular area and will not invade nearby tissue or spread to other areas of the body. Benign tumours are usually harmless, but a doctor may suggest removing a benign tumour if it is in a dangerous location where the tumour is either pressing against an organ or a blood vessel (arteries or veins). Benign tumours are non-cancerous. A wart is an example of a benign tumour.
- Malignant – these tumours are cancerous. The cancerous cells invade nearby tissue and can spread to other parts of the body by entering the bloodstream (or lymph nodes). The cancerous cells leave the bloodstream and invade healthy tissue where they start multiplying, which results in the development of a secondary cancerous tumour in a different location in the body. Malignant tumours are very dangerous and can even be fatal if they are not found and dealt with quickly.
The diagram below shows the two different types of tumours.
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Cancer Risk Factors
Scientists and doctors are researching the causes of different cancers and the most effective ways to treat them. There are many different cancers that an individual can get and anyone of any age can develop pretty much any type of cancer. However, there are certain risk factors that mean that an individual has an increased chance of developing a specific type of cancer. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will definitely develop a specific type of cancer. Instead, having a risk factor means that there is an increased chance of developing that specific type of cancer. Risk factors for cancer can be split into avoidable risk factors (lifestyle risk factors) and unavoidable risk factors (genetic risk factors).
Avoidable Risk Factors (Lifestyle)
How someone lives their life will affect their chances of developing certain type of cancers. Here are some lifestyle risk factors:
Scientists and doctors are researching the causes of different cancers and the most effective ways to treat them. There are many different cancers that an individual can get and anyone of any age can develop pretty much any type of cancer. However, there are certain risk factors that mean that an individual has an increased chance of developing a specific type of cancer. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will definitely develop a specific type of cancer. Instead, having a risk factor means that there is an increased chance of developing that specific type of cancer. Risk factors for cancer can be split into avoidable risk factors (lifestyle risk factors) and unavoidable risk factors (genetic risk factors).
Avoidable Risk Factors (Lifestyle)
How someone lives their life will affect their chances of developing certain type of cancers. Here are some lifestyle risk factors:
- Smoking – individuals who smoke have an increased chance of developing lung cancer. It is the tar in cigarettes that causes the increased chance of developing lung cancer. As a smoker smokes more cigarettes a day, the chances of developing lung cancer increases. For example, if you smoke 10 cigarettes a day, you have a 10 times greater chance compared to a non-smoker of developing lung cancer. If you smoke 40 cigarettes a day, you have a 30 times greater chance compared to a non-smoker of developing lung cancer. Smoking is also a risk factor for many other cancers, such as cancer of the oesophagus, the mouth, the throat, the kidneys, the liver etc…
- Obesity – obesity is a risk factor for the development of bowel cancer, oesophageal cancer, liver cancer and many more cancers. The more obese an individual is, the greater the risk is of developing these types of cancers.
- Ultraviolet (UV) exposure – individuals who are exposed to high levels of UV are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer. The sun emits UV radiation, which is why we put sun cream on when we are out in the sun for long periods of time. Individuals who are often in the sun without sun cream on will have a greater chance of developing skin cancer. Also, the use of sun beds increases the risk of developing skin cancer; sun beds give out UV radiation that tans and damages your skin.
- Infections – some infections can increase the chances of developing certain types of cancers. For example, people who have contracted hepatitis B and C have a greater risk of developing liver cancer. Hepatitis B and C are communicable diseases (they are caused by pathogens and can be spread between organisms). The chances of contracting these viruses are dependent on lifestyle factors; the sharing of needles and unprotected sex increase your chances of contracting these viruses. The contracting of these viruses also depends on where you live; there is a greater chance of contracting certain viruses in developing countries. This is because sanitation tends to be poorer and residents may not be vaccinated.
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Unavoidable Risk Factors (Genetics)
In addition to lifestyle risk factors, an individual’s chances of developing certain types of cancers is linked to genetic risk factors. These genetic risk factors come from inherited faulty genes from an individual’s parents. For example, if a female inherited a faulty BRCA gene, there is a greater chance of them developing breast or ovarian cancer. If there is a history of breast/ ovarian cancer in the family or an individual knows that they have this faulty BRCA gene, they can modify their lifestyle to decrease their risk of developing breast/ ovarian cancer. Also, they can check themselves more or have more regular check-ups by doctors so that they catch the cancer earlier – the earlier that cancer is caught, the quicker it is treated, which increases the chances of survival.
Also, the risk of developing certain types of cancers is dependent on age, gender, ethnicity etc – these are all unavoidable.
In addition to lifestyle risk factors, an individual’s chances of developing certain types of cancers is linked to genetic risk factors. These genetic risk factors come from inherited faulty genes from an individual’s parents. For example, if a female inherited a faulty BRCA gene, there is a greater chance of them developing breast or ovarian cancer. If there is a history of breast/ ovarian cancer in the family or an individual knows that they have this faulty BRCA gene, they can modify their lifestyle to decrease their risk of developing breast/ ovarian cancer. Also, they can check themselves more or have more regular check-ups by doctors so that they catch the cancer earlier – the earlier that cancer is caught, the quicker it is treated, which increases the chances of survival.
Also, the risk of developing certain types of cancers is dependent on age, gender, ethnicity etc – these are all unavoidable.
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Risk Factors
A greater understanding of risk factors for certain cancers means that we can change our lifestyles to lower the chances of developing certain cancers. Also, we can screen individuals for cancers that they have an increased chance of developing due to either genetic factors or lifestyle factors.
A greater understanding of risk factors for certain cancers means that we can change our lifestyles to lower the chances of developing certain cancers. Also, we can screen individuals for cancers that they have an increased chance of developing due to either genetic factors or lifestyle factors.