B7: non-communicable diseases
keywords
carcinogens= agents that cause cancer or significantly increase the risk of developing cancer
ionising radiation= causes ionisation in the materials it passes through, which can make them biologically active and may result in mutation and cancer
correlation= an apparent link or relationship between 2 factors
casual mechanism= something that explains how one factor influences another
cancer= the common name for a malignant tumour, formed as a result of changes in cells that lead to uncontrollable growth and division
risk factors for disease
- inherited factors: the genes you inherit, which you cannot change
- lifestyle factors: eg. diet, exercise
- environmental factors: eg. exposure to ionising radiation pollution
cancer
the cells in our body divide on a regular basis in a set sequence called the cell cycle
a tumour forms when control of this sequence is lost and the cells grow in an abnormal, uncontrolled way
there are 2 types of tumour
benign tumours= are growths of abnormal cells which are contained in one area, usually within a membrane. they do not invade other parts of the body
maligant tumours= are cancers. they invade neighbouring tissues and spread to different parts of the body in the blood where they form secondary tumours
smoking = harmful
- nicotine= is an addictive drug that raises the heartbeat. narrows the arteries and so causes high blood pressure. this leads to heart disease
- tar= coats the lining of the lungs making them less able to take in oxygen. it also carcinogens which causes cancer
- carbon monoxide= which is a poisonous gas which joins up with red blood cells making them incapable to transporting oxygen around the body
diet, exercise & health
the effects of diet and exercise on cardiovascular disease
obesity as a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes
alcohol and other carcinogens
the effect of alcohol on the liver and brain function
the effects of alcohol on unborn babies
carcinogens, including ionising radiation, as risk factors in cancer