Cell Division Going Wrong: Cancer

What is Cancer?
• Cancer results from a
change in the DNA that
codes for the proteins that
control the ____________
• One or more of the
checkpoints fail, so the cell enters mitosis and
divides when it should not
• The uncontrolled division creates a mass of cells
that form a tumor
• _____________ – has no serious effect on
surrounding tissues (cells are not cancerous)
• _____________ – interferes with the
function of neighbouring cells and may even
destroy surrounding tissues (cells are
cancerous)
Metastasis
• If one cancerous cell breaks away from the original tumor and moves to
another part of the body, it can grow and divide and start a secondary
tumor
• This process is called metastasis

Causes of Cancer
• _______________ – random changes that
occur in DNA
• Mutations have many effects – the cell may
continue to grow and function normally, functions may be changed, the
cell could die, or become cancerous

Carcinogens
• Environmental factors that cause mutations are called carcinogens
 • Examples are: __________, _________(X rays or UV rays), ______
(ex. HPV), __________, etc.
• However, exposure to a carcinogen does not always lead to cancer
• Some forms of cancer are also hereditary (some breast cancers and
colon cancers)

Smoking and Cancer

• Smoking causes _____________ cases of lung cancer
• Smoking also increases the risk for many other types of cancer
• Many of these cancers can be
prevented by quitting smoking or not
starting in the first place!!

Cancer Screening
• Screening cannot prevent cancer,
but does increase the chance of
detecting it early enough to treat it

Reducing Cancer Risk

• Many lifestyle choices can reduce cancer risk, such as:
– Healthy diet
– Maintaining a healthy weight
– Avoiding tobacco smoke
– Avoiding radiation

Diagnosing Cancer
• The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of treating it
successfully
• If cancer is suspected, several techniques may be used to diagnose it
– ___________
– ___________
– ___________
– ___________
 – __________
– __________
• To confirm a diagnosis of cancer, the cells must be examined under a
microscope
• _________ – a small sample of cells is taken from the affected area

• Cancer cells are often irregularly shaped and smaller than normal cells

Treatment of Cancer
1. _________ – physically removing the cancerous cells
2. ____________ – slowing cell division and killing the cells
• Taken orally or injected
• Targets rapidly dividing cells in the body
3. ____________ – damages DNA in the cancer cells so they cannot divide
further
4. _____________ – uses beams of light to detect and treat cancer
• More accurately targets tumors than radiation