Cancer Prevention, HIV Diagnosis, and Allergies

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to cancer prevention, HIV diagnosis, treatments, and allergies, crucial for understanding the course material.

Primary Cancer Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices aimed at reducing cancer risk, such as good nutrition, avoiding smoking, and limiting carcinogen exposure.

Secondary Cancer Prevention

Refers to screenings that detect cancer early, even before symptoms appear.

Tertiary Cancer Prevention

Involves managing and monitoring cancer that has been diagnosed to prevent recurrence or the development of secondary cancer.

Debulking Surgery

A procedure that involves removing a large portion of a tumor to facilitate better treatment outcomes.

Curative Surgery

Surgery intended to completely remove cancerous tissue, potentially leading to a cure.

Hormone Removal Surgery

Surgical removal of hormone-producing organs, often utilized in breast cancer treatment to halt cancer growth fueled by hormones.

Palliative Surgery

Surgery aimed at relieving symptoms and improving quality of life without aiming for a cure.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS)

A condition resulting from the rapid breakdown of cancer cells that releases large amounts of potassium, phosphorus, uric acid, leading to metabolic imbalances.

Brachytherapy

A form of internal radiation treatment where radioactive material is placed inside or near the tumor.

Hypersensitivity

An exaggerated response of the immune system to substances that are usually harmless.

Anaphylaxis

A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that may involve difficulty breathing, drop in blood pressure, and hives.

Desensitization Therapy

A treatment for allergies, where allergens are introduced in small amounts to gradually build tolerance.

PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)

A preventive treatment for HIV where individuals at high risk take medication to lower their chances of acquiring the virus.

PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis)

A treatment taken after potential HIV exposure to prevent infection, effective within 72 hours.

Autoimmune Disease

A disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells, tissues, or organs.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints.

Lupus

An autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body, often manifesting as joint pain, skin rashes, and fatigue.

HIV Diagnosis Stages

The progression of HIV infection from acute infection to chronic latency, and potentially to AIDS when CD4 counts drop below 200.

Kaposi Sarcoma

A type of cancer often associated with AIDS, visible as purplish spots on the skin or mucous membranes.

Pneumocystis Pneumonia

An opportunistic infection caused by a fungus that commonly affects individuals with weakened immune systems, commonly found in AIDS patients.