Cancer
Health and disease
Cancer
Health and disease
How our teaching resources are designed for the classroom
Laura
Izzy
Andeep
Jacob
Listen to others. It is okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond. When disagreeing, challenge the statement not the person.
Respect privacy. We can discuss examples but do not use names or descriptions that identify anyone, including ourselves.
No judgement. We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged.
Choose level of participation. Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join a discussion. We never put anyone ‘on the spot’.
I can explain how a cancerous tumour is formed and identify some risk factors that increase the likelihood of a person developing cancer.
tumour
a mass of cells that has been produced through uncontrolled cell division
malignant
a tumour that is cancerous and can spread
sexually transmitted infection
a disease that can be passed from organism to organism through sexual contact
benign
a tumour that is non-cancerous and contained to one area
risk factor
something that increases the risk of ill health
Cancer
Risk factors for cancer
HPV and cervical cancer
Cancer
Cancer is a non-communicable disease as it cannot be passed from organism to organism.
Cancer
Cancer can occur in most places in the body. The four most common types are:
breast cancer
lung cancer
prostate cancer
bowel cancer
human body
Cell division is controlled by genes.
Cancer
If there is a mutation in the genes that control cell division, the cell could start dividing uncontrollably leading to a tumour.
Cell division: Mitosis
Two students were discussing cancer. Who has the best description of a tumour?
Cancer
Izzy
A tumour is a type of specialised cell.
Aisha
A tumour is a mass of cells that has been produced through uncontrolled cell division.
Cancer
Not all tumours are cancerous. There are two different types of tumour; benign and malignant.
benign tumour
malignant tumour
Benign tumours are not cancerous.
Malignant tumours are cancerous.
Benign tumours are growths of abnormal cells which are contained within one area; they usually grow slowly.
Cancer
Benign tumours are usually contained within a membrane and do not invade neighbouring tissues.
membrane surrounding benign tumour
benign tumour; growth of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably
neighbouring tissue not invaded
Malignant tumours are cancers; they are not contained within one area and usually grow quickly.
Cancer
malignant tumour cells; growth of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably
neighbouring tissue is invaded as tumour is not held within a membrane
Malignant tumours invade neighbouring tissue and can spread to other parts of the body where they form secondary tumours (metastasis).
malignant cell has broken off and can spread to form secondary tumours (metastasis)
There are two different types of tumour.
Cancer
benign tumours
malignant tumours
non-cancerous
encapsulated - surrounded by a membrane
non-invasive to other organs and tissues
cancerous
less likely to be encapsulated
capable of breaking off and travelling through the blood to cause secondary tumours
usually more harmful
Benign tumours do not invade other organs or tissues.
Benign tumours are more dangerous than malignant tumours.
Malignant tumours can break off and travel in the blood to form secondary tumours.
Cancer
Sort the statements into benign or malignant tumours.
Cancer
non-invasive to other organs and tissues
cancerous
non-cancerous
less likely to be encapsulated
capable of breaking off and travelling through the blood to cause secondary tumours (metastasis)
encapsulated - surrounded by a membrane
usually more harmful
cell division: mitosis
Sort the statements into benign or malignant tumours.
Cancer
benign tumours
malignant tumours
non-cancerous
encapsulated - surrounded by a membrane
non-invasive to other organs and tissues
cancerous
less likely to be encapsulated
capable of breaking off and travelling through the blood to cause secondary tumours (metastasis)
usually more harmful
Cancer
Risk factors for cancer
HPV and cervical cancer
Cancer
There are more than 200 different types of cancer, but they often share similar risk factors, including:
smoking
exposure to carcinogens, such as asbestos
exposure to radiation, such as UV light
being overweight or obese
Risk factors for cancer
genetic factors
Tar in cigarette smoke can cause cancer.
Tar can cause various types of cancer including mouth, throat and lung cancers.
cancer
DNA
animal cell
The chemicals in tar damage DNA.
This can lead to uncontrolled cell division.
This is a tumour which may be malignant. This is cancer.
Risk factors for cancer
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun or sunbeds can lead to skin cancer.
Risk factors for cancer
DNA
animal cell
UVR can penetrate the skin cells and damage the DNA.
This can lead to uncontrolled cell division.
This is a tumour which may be malignant. This is cancer.
Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for many types of cancer.
Risk factors for cancer
There are several reasons for the link between being overweight and cancer.
For example, fat cells produce the hormone oestrogen.
fat cells
Excess oestrogen can promote the growth of breast cancer.
breast cancer cells
Which of the following are risk factors for cancer?
Risk factors for cancer
being overweight
eating a healthy diet
exercising regularly
smoking
To lower your risk of getting cancer, you should try to eat a more balanced diet.
Reduce consumption of ultra processed foods and foods high in fat and sugar.
Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Risk factors for cancer
Exercising regularly can help to maintain a healthy body weight. It is more sustainable if you choose a sport or activity you enjoy.
football players
swimming
Risk factors for cancer
Do not smoke or take illegal drugs and avoid drinking alcohol.
smoking
alcohol
drugs
Risk factors for cancer
Which of the following can reduce your risk of developing cancer?
Risk factors for cancer
avoid alcohol
eating a healthy diet
being overweight
smoking
Risk factors for cancer
Some people have an increased risk of particular types of cancer because they have inherited a faulty gene from their parents.
It is important to note that most cancers are not caused by inherited faulty genes.
The BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes help control cell division.
Changes in these genes can lead to an increased risk of developing cancer.
Changes to the gene are passed from parents to offspring.
This means the offspring will have a greater chance of developing particular cancers, e.g. breast cancer.
DNA
Describe how eating an unbalanced diet and not exercising regularly can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Risk factors for cancer
fat cells
breast cancer cells
Describe how eating an unbalanced diet and not exercising regularly can lead to an increased risk of some types of cancer.
Risk factors for cancer
Eating an unbalanced diet and not exercising may lead to a person becoming overweight or obese.
Fat cells produce the hormone oestrogen.
Excess oestrogen can promote the growth of cells, leading to faster uncontrolled cell division.
This mass of cells that is dividing uncontrollably is a tumour.
The tumour may be benign or malignant. A malignant tumour is cancerous.
Cancer
Risk factors for cancer
HPV and cervical cancer
Cancer
The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name of a group of viruses.
HPV and cervical cancer
They are often harmless, but in some people they can cause genital warts or cancer.
HPV image using an electron microscope
Most people do not realise they have been infected.
It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
When the virus enters the host cell it can cause changes to the host cell’s genes which can lead to uncontrolled cell division and potentially cancer.
HPV and cervical cancer
viral replication
There are ways to reduce the spread of HPV.
HPV and cervical cancer
Condoms can help protect you against HPV, but they do not cover all the skin around genitals so you're not completely protected.
The HPV vaccination will protect you against most types of HPV that cause warts and cancer, but not all types.
condom
vaccination
Which of the following are associated with HPV?
HPV and cervical cancer
cancer
diabetes
obesity
gential warts
How can we protect ourselves against HPV infection?
HPV and cervical cancer
condoms
cook food properly
vaccination
wash hands
Within a viral species we get different ‘strains’.
HPV and cervical cancer
Not all strains of HPV cause cervical cancer and some have a higher risk than others.
Data source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/new-hpv-shot-fends-more-types-virus
HPV is a bacterium.
HPV and cervical cancer
HPV stands for human papilloma virus.
HPV causes damage to cells.
Use the bar chart to evaluate the claim ‘HPV causes cervical cancer’.
HPV and cervical cancer
Include some reasons that agree with the claim and some that disagree with the claim. Then write a conclusion.
Data source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/new-hpv-shot-fends-more-types-virus
Use the bar chart to evaluate the claim ‘HPV causes cervical cancer’. Write a conclusion.
HPV and cervical cancer
HPV strains 16, 18 and 33 have been associated with cases of cervical cancer.
HPV 16 has been found in nearly 60% of cervical cancer patients which is more than the other strains.
HPV 6 and 11 have not been found in any cervical cancer patients.
I believe this suggests that only some strains of HPV are associated with cervical cancer, but correlation doesn’t always mean causation so we cannot make the claim that HPV causes cancer based on this evidence.
A tumour is a mass of cells that has been produced through uncontrolled cell division. Tumours can be benign or malignant.
Benign tumours are non-cancerous and less harmful. Malignant tumours are cancerous and more harmful because they can break off and spread to other parts of the body.
There are risk factors associated with cancer such as smoking or certain genes.
HPV can be a sexually transmitted infection that is passed on through sexual contact, that can increase your risk of cervical cancer.
Cancer
Cancer is a non-communicable disease and cannot be passed from organism to organism.
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