Cancer Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Several close relatives developed the same or related cancers at unusually young ages. What is a reasonable next step?
Assume every family member will develop the same cancer
Order a consumer genetic test and make medical decisions from it alone
Ignore the pattern because inherited factors never influence cancer susceptibility
Discuss the family pattern with a clinician, who may recommend genetic counseling or appropriate assessment
2. How does a benign tumor generally differ from a malignant tumor?
A benign tumor is always harmless and never needs medical attention
A benign tumor does not invade nearby tissue or spread to distant sites, although it can still cause problems
A benign tumor grows faster but responds better to treatment
A benign tumor contains normal cells, while a malignant tumor contains no normal cells
3. A worker learns that a substance used at work is a known carcinogen. Which interpretation is most accurate?
Any exposure means the worker will eventually develop cancer
Exposure may increase probability rather than create certainty, so protective procedures and occupational-health advice matter
The substance matters only if symptoms appear immediately after exposure
Lifestyle choices can completely cancel the effects of occupational exposure
4. A friend asks whether a healthy lifestyle can eliminate all possibility of cancer. Which answer is most accurate?
Yes, provided the person follows every screening recommendation
Yes, because cancer occurs only after preventable exposures
No; healthy choices can lower some risks, but no lifestyle can guarantee that cancer will never occur
No, because lifestyle has no meaningful relationship to cancer risk
5. What is cancer?
A condition in which all rapidly dividing cells become harmful
Any swelling caused by inflammation or infection
A single disease that affects every organ in the same way
A group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and may invade nearby or distant tissues
6. Which statement about alcohol and cancer risk is supported by evidence?
Only spirits are associated with cancer risk; beer and wine are not
Alcohol affects risk only when it causes visible liver damage
Alcohol can increase the risk of several cancers, and drinking less generally reduces alcohol-related risk
Exercise neutralizes the cancer risk associated with alcohol
7. What is the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cancer prevention?
It can reduce the likelihood of several HPV-related cancers but does not replace recommended screening
It treats cancer that has already been caused by HPV
It makes recommended cervical screening unnecessary
It prevents every cancer linked to an infection
8. Someone notices a new lump that has remained for several weeks. What is the most appropriate response?
Assume it is cancer and begin changing treatment or medication independently
Wait until it becomes painful, because painless lumps are rarely important
Arrange an assessment with a qualified healthcare professional
Rely on an online symptom checker to determine whether testing is needed
9. Which statement about tobacco and cancer is accurate?
Only smokeless tobacco is linked with cancers outside the lungs
Smoking can cause cancers in several organs, and secondhand smoke is also harmful
Tobacco-related cancer risk applies only to people who smoke every day
Reducing smoking to occasional use removes the associated cancer risk
10. What is the main purpose of cancer screening?
To confirm cancer in everyone who has a possible symptom
To replace diagnostic testing when an abnormality is found
To predict exactly which healthy people will develop cancer
To look for cancer or precancerous changes in people without symptoms who meet screening criteria
11. A person wants to reduce ultraviolet radiation exposure while spending time outdoors. Which plan is most appropriate?
Develop a base tan before spending longer periods outside
Combine shade, protective clothing, and broad-spectrum sunscreen, and avoid tanning beds
Use sunscreen only when the sky is completely clear
Choose indoor tanning because its radiation is controlled and therefore harmless
12. Two people have cancers in the same organ but receive different treatment plans. What best explains this?
Cancer subtype, stage, biomarkers, overall health, and patient preferences can affect treatment choices
Treatment is selected mainly according to the patient's age
The more expensive option is normally chosen for later-stage disease
One plan must be incorrect because cancers in one organ require identical treatment
13. Which statement best describes inherited cancer risk?
Most cancers are directly inherited from a parent
Inheriting a cancer-related variant means cancer is inevitable
Some inherited variants raise susceptibility, but they do not guarantee that cancer will develop
Cancer-related variants can be inherited only through the mother's family
14. After a routine screening test, someone is called back for more tests. What is the best interpretation?
An abnormal screening result needs further assessment and does not by itself mean cancer is present
The first test was useless because screening should always give a final diagnosis
The screening test has confirmed cancer
The callback shows that cancer has already spread beyond its original site
15. What does it mean when cancer has metastasized?
Cancer cells have spread from the original site and formed cancer in another part of the body
A benign growth has become large enough to cause symptoms
Treatment has removed every detectable cancer cell
Several unrelated cancers have developed at exactly the same time
16. A person has persistent unexplained weight loss and fatigue. What can these symptoms establish on their own?
They establish an early-stage cancer that has not spread
They establish cancer only if both symptoms began on the same day
They rule out cancer unless pain or a visible lump is also present
They do not establish cancer because many conditions can cause them, but persistent unexplained symptoms warrant medical evaluation