Ana Cabrera 10am - 04
Homework Assignment #6
1. What is cancer?
- An abnormal and uncontrollable growth of cells or tissue that can lead to death.
2. Explain the difference between benign tumors and malignant ones.
- Benign tumors are masses of cells enclosed in a membrane that prevents their
penetration into other tissues. Whereas malignant tumor is cancerous and can
invade surrounding tissues, and spread to other sites in the body.
3. Why do cancer cells spread and how?
- From the original location, the spreading of cancer cells occurs because cancer
cells do not stick to each other as strongly as normal cells.
4. There are four types of cancer. Name two of them and explain them.
- Carcinomas: most common- arises from the epithelial tissue that covers external
body surfaces, glands, lining of internal organs, and cavities.
- Leukemia: cancer of the blood-forming cells in bone marrow.
5. What is the major risk factor for colon and rectal cancer?
- Directly linked to diet, especially high in red and processed meats, and smoked
meats and fish.
6. How is cervical cancer transmitted and from what?
- Cervical cancer is sexually transmitted. Almost all cases stem from infection by
the human papillomavirus; transmitted by unprotected sex.
7. Diet is very important with regards to cancer risk and cancer prevention. Name one
dietary risk factor for cancer and one dietary prevention factor.
- Cancer risk: dietary fat and meat - Cancer prevention: Fruits and vegetables
8. There are four major carcinogens in the environment that can cause cancer. Name
two of them.
- Microbes - Environmental and industrial pollution