400981 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Human Papillomavirus Infection, Helicobacter Pylori, Ionizing Radiation

• School: UWS
• Department: University of Western Sydney
• Course: 400981
• Professor: unknown

Document Summary

Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumours, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements. While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they can also have other causes. Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths. Another 10% are due to obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity or excessive drinking of alcohol. Other factors include certain infections, exposure to ionising radiation and environmental pollutants. In the developing world, 15% of cancers are due to infections such as helicobacter pylori, hepatitis b, hepatitis c, human papillomavirus infection, These factors act, at least partly, by changing the genes of a cell. Typically, many genetic changes are required before cancer develops.