Health Sciences 1001A/B Lecture Notes - Tumor Suppressor Gene, Melanoma, Canadian Cancer Society
19 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Tumor a mass of cells with no physiological purpose. Benign tumor only dangerous if it interferes with other body functions. Malignant tumor cancerous, can spread to surrounding tissues (metastasis) Second leading cause of death in canada (following heart disease) 45% of men and 40% of women will have cancer in their lifetime. Aging populations (89% of people are diagnosed at 55 years of age) Canadian cancer society (2009) report on young adults (15-29 years) More females than males are diagnosed with cancer but slightly more men have died from cancer. Prevention and screening (pap tests, hpv vaccination) Oncogene: if mutated, over-activated, can be cancer causing. Tumor suppressor gene: normal function to control cell growth. Mutagens substances that cause mutations in dna. Carcinogens/cancer inhibitor mutagens that cause cancer. New evidences show that lifestyle factors are related to modifications in dna. 50% of all cancers may be preventable. Obesity/physical activity: not correlated to bmi but correlated to fat consumption.
