PS 242 Healthy Psychology Chapter 10

What is cancer?

a group of diseases characterized by the presence of new (neoplastic) cells that grow and spread beyond control (can be benign or malignant)

Are cancer rates increasing or decreasing?

Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the United States (23%)

- Since mid 1990s, it has decreased in cancers of the lung, colon, rectum, breasts, and prostate

What are the inherent and environmental risk factors for cancer?

family history, ethnic background, and advancing age, environmental exposure to airborne pollutants, radiation, and infectious organisms

What are the behavioral risk factors for cancer?

smoking, unwise diet and exercise, sedentary lifestyle, combining alcohol with smoking, overexposure to sun, sexual behaviors

How can cancer patients be helped in coping with their disease?

social support from friends and family, support groups, therapists

What are the 4 main groups of maligant growth?

carcinomas, sarcomas, leukemias, lymphoma

Carcinomas -

cancers of the epithelial tissue

Sarcomas -

cancers of the connective tissues (bone, muscles, cartilage)

Leukemias -

cancers of the blood

Lymphoma -

cancers of the lymphatic system; less common