Choose the correct statements about the detection and treatment of cancer:
A. Antibodies against cancer-specific antigens are also used for detection of certain cancers.
B. In the case of leukemias, blood and bone marrow tests are done for decreased cell counts.
C. Individuals with inherited susceptibility to certain cancers may be advised to avoid exposure to particular carcinogens to which they are susceptible.
D. Cancer patients are given biological response modifiers such as α-interferon, which activates their immune system and helps in destroying the tumour.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A, C and D only
Cancer is detected through biopsy, blood and bone marrow tests, imaging and antibodies, and it is treated by surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In leukemia, a cancer of the blood, the blood-forming cells keep dividing without control.
Statement A: Antibodies against cancer-specific antigens are also used for detection of certain cancers. — True. Cancer cells carry cancer-specific antigens, and antibodies that bind to them help detect certain cancers.
Statement B: In the case of leukemias, blood and bone marrow tests are done for decreased cell counts. — False. In leukemias the tests look for increased cell counts, since the cells multiply without control.
Statement C: Individuals with inherited susceptibility to certain cancers may be advised to avoid exposure to particular carcinogens to which they are susceptible. — True. Molecular biology can detect the genes that predispose a person to certain cancers. Such a person can then stay away from the related carcinogen, for example tobacco smoke in the case of lung cancer.
Statement D: Cancer patients are given biological response modifiers such as α-interferon, which activates their immune system and helps in destroying the tumour. — True. Tumour cells avoid detection and destruction by the immune system. α-interferon activates the immune system so that it can destroy the tumour.
NCERT Extract:
Cancer – “… Cancer detection is based on biopsy and histopathological studies of the tissue and blood and bone marrow tests for increased cell counts in the case of leukemias.”
Cancer – “… Antibodies against cancer-specific antigens are also used for detection of certain cancers. Techniques of molecular biology can be applied to detect genes in individuals with inherited susceptibility to certain cancers. Identification of such genes, which predispose an individual to certain cancers, may be very helpful in prevention of cancers. Such individuals may be advised to avoid exposure to particular carcinogens to which they are susceptible (e.g., tobacco smoke in case of lung cancer).”
Cancer – “… Tumor cells have been shown to avoid detection and destruction by immune system. Therefore, the patients are given substances called biological response modifiers such as α-interferon which activates their immune system and helps in destroying the tumor.”