370 CANCER PREVENTION

what is cell growth controlled by?

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) found in the nucleus and cytoplasm of each cell

when cell growth is uncontrolled, the cells are known as?

cancer cells

what is DNA?

genetic substance of which genes are made

molecule that contains cell’s genetic code

found in nucleus

what is RNA?

genetic material that guides the formation of cell proteins

found in nucleus, mitochondria, and cytoplasm

RNA and DNA are needed for what?

protein synthesis

when nuclei lose their ability to control cell growth, what can develop?

mutant cells

when cells grow uncontrollably and abnormally what do they form? what are the two types?

tumors


1. benign tumors (noncancerous)
2. malignant tumors (cancerous; grow faster and eventually lose cell membrane)

what are the steps cancer cells go through?

hypertrophy (get bigger)

hyperplasia (multiply)

dysplasia (uneven edges and sometimes multi nucleated; precancerous cells)

what is a gene?

codes for cellular function

what are oncogenes?

gene that initiates cell division

what are suppressor genes?

deactivate the process of cell division (block uncontrolled growth)

what two things need to be in balance in order for uncontrolled cell growth to no occur?

oncogenes and suppressor genes

a tumor forms when you have more or less oncogenes?

more

a tumor forms when you have more or less suppressor genes?

less

what are telomeres?

molecules at both ends of a chromosome that allow for cell division

what happens when telomeres on the end of a cell run out?

cell death

in cancerous cells, what keeps the chromosomes from running out of telomeres?

telomerase

(tumors make it)

carcinoma = ?

cancer cells

what is metastasis?

the migration of cancer cells

what is the precursor to metastasis?

angiogenesis (the formation of blood vessels/capillaries)

is a carcinoma in situ encapsulated or not?

encapsulated

what is different about carcinoma in situ?

it may go months or even years without significant growth (metastasis)

still malignant though

t/f

everyone has precancerous cells

true

what are the leading causes of cancer deaths?

tobacco use

unhealthy nutrition

physical acitivity

excessive body fat (cite for toxin accumulation)

what are some other factors that can cause cancer?

food additives/packaging

tension and stress

genetics

enviroment

why can fat from animals be bad?

there are toxins stored in the fat and muscles of animals that is then in our bodies after consumption

what is the incidence for cancer in men? women?

men: 1 in 2

women: 1 in 3

what race has a higher incidence of cancer?

African Americans

is cancer partially dependent on genes?

yes

which organ is the largest site for metastasis?

lungs

in men, how does lung cancer and prostate cancer compare?

more deaths from lung cancer but more cases of prostate cancer

colon/rectum cancer is third in line for both cases and deaths

in women, how does lung cancer and breast cancer compare?

more deaths from lung cancer, but more cases of breast cancer

colon/rectum cancer is third in line for both cases and deaths

what is important for controlling/curing cancer?

early diagnosis

what are the warning signs of cancer?

change in bowl or bladder habits

sore that does not heal

unusual bleeding or discharge

thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere

indigestion or difficulty swallowing (dysphasia)

obvious changes in wart or mole

nagging cough or hoarseness

back pain

difficulty peeing

what are warning signs specific to lung cancer?

cough, back pain, bad sleep

what are the risk factors for lung cancer/

smoking

amount smoked and length of time

secondhand smoke

radon gas exposure (usually in basements)

type of industrial work

what part of the cig has the most toxins?

the covering

what are the risk factors for colon/rectum cancer?

age (after 40 get colonoscopy)

family predisposition (genes)

personal history

physical inactivity

race/ethnicity

what are the symptoms for colon/rectum cancer? is the latent period long or short?

excessive bleeding, lose weight, lose appetite

lont latent period

what are the risk factors for skin cancer (melanoma)?

UV light exposure

complexion

personal/family history

work environment

radiation

what are the warning signs for melanoma?

A: asymmetry

B: border

C: color

D: diameter

E: elevation

what are the risk factors for breast cancer?

age

race

family history (genes: BRAC1)

personal history

physical inactivity

hormone replacement therapy (don’t want to much estrogen)

alcohol

obesity

irregular menstrual cycle

breast tissue density

oral contraceptive

dietary factors

t/f

when checking for breast cancer, you should check all the way up to the clavicle

true

what are the risk factors for cervical cancer?

human papilloma virus

smoking

STI’s

diet

overweight

BCP (contraceptives)

pregnancies

family history

what are the risk factors for endometrial cancer?

RED FLAG: EXCESSIVE DISCHARGE/BLOOD

estrogen use

age

race

pregnancy

weight

diabetes

number of menstrual cycles

hypertension

physical inactivity

what is endometrial cancer?

cancer in the inner lining of the uterus

what are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

age and family history

race

diet

physical inactivity

what race is prostate cancer higher in?

African Americans

testicular cancer is most common in what ages?

15-34

how does testicular cancer happen?

testes initially develop in pelvic cavity and if they don’t descend at puberty, the heat from the pelvic cavity can cause cancer

what are the risk factors from testicular cancer?

undescended abnormal testicle

family history

race

testicular cancer is higher in which race?

caucasians

what are the risk factors for pancreatic cancer?

age

tabacco use

sugar intake

obesity

physical inactivity

chronic pancreatitis

cirrohsis

diabetes

family history

race

which race is pancreatic cancer higher in?

African Americans

usually patients, when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, are in which stage and have how long to live? why?

4th stage, 6 months to live

long latency period (asymptomatic until 4th stage)

what are some other signs of pancreatic cancer?

digestive problems

metabolic problems

excessive ketone bodies

what are risk factors for kidney and bladder cancer?

heavy cigarette smoking

congenital abnormalities or kidney or bladder

exposure to certain chemicals

history of schistosomiasis (parasitic disease)

frequent urinary tract infections

is there a higher incidence of kidney/bladder infection in men or women?

men

what are the risk factors for oral cancer?

heavy tobacco use

excessive alcohol consumption

which parts of the body does oral cancer affect?

mouth

lips

tongue

salivary glands

pharynx

larynx

floor of mouth

what are the risk factors for esophageal and stomach cancer?

diet low in fresh fruits and veggies

salt-cured, smoked, and nitrate-cured foods

heartburn or GERD

history of pernicious anemia (low RBC because of low vitamin B12)

chronic gastritis or gastric polyps

excessive body weight

tobacco and alcohol use

family history

why is GI cancer usually diagnosed late?

initially asymptomatic

what are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?

age

history of ovarian problems

estrogen postmenopausal hormone therapy

history of menstrual irregularities

family history of breast/ovarian cancer

personal history of breast cancer

nulliparity (no pregs) or multiparity (lots of pregs)

excessive body weight

hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer

what are the risk factors for thyroid cancer?

age

radiation

family history

who is more predisposed to thyroid cancer?

women

caucasians

what are the risk factors for liver cancer?

history of cirrhosis, hep B, or hep C (infections)

exposure to vinyl chloride and aflatoxin

excessive alcohol comsumption

what is alflatoxin?

fungus in fruits and veggies (carcinogenic: cancerous)

who is more predisposed to liver cancer?

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

what are the risk factors for leukemia?

inherited susceptibility

down syndrome and other genetic abnormalities

excessive exposure to ionizing radiation

environmental exposure to chemicals (benzene in gas and cig smoke)

what are the risk factors for lymphoma?

unknown

how many cancers are preventable?

60-80%

how many cancers are curable?

50% (if diagnosed early)

what are guidelines for cancer prevention in reference to lifestyle?

maintain healthy body weight

adopt a physically active lifestyle

adopt health diet

limit alcohol consumptions

no tobacco

avoid exposure to occupational hazards

what two risk factors contribute to 30% each of cancer?

tobacco

diet and obesity

(if tobacco is not used, the next highest is physical inactivty)

what dietary changes can help prevent cancer?

predominantly vegetarian

cruciferous veggies

carotenoids

tea

vitamin D

soy products

calcium

antioxidants

vitamins and minerals

omega-3 fats

what are cruciferous veggies and carotenoids?

cruciferous veggies: plants with cross-shaped leaves (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts)

what are carotenoids?

pigment substances in plants that are often precursors to vitamin A

what are phytonutrients?

block formation of cancerous tumors and disrupt the progress of cancer

minimum of 5 serving of fruits and veggies each day

how much fiber should men and women get per day?

women: 25 g

men: 38 g

what are polyphenols?

cancer-fighting antioxidants

block formation of nitrosamines and quell activation of carcinogens

shut off formation of cancer cells

increase detoxification defenses

what are polyphenols found in?

tea

what are nitrosamines?

potentially cancer-causing compounds formed when nitrates and nitrates combine with other chemicals in the stomach

what are carcinogens?

substances that contribute to the formation of cancers

excess animal protein decrease what that fight tumor development?

blood enzymes

what are the pros and cons of soy

pros: contains chemicals that prevent cancer and isoflavones (phytoestrogens) that block angiogenesis

cons: isoflavones stimulate growth of estrogen-dependent tumors

one drink of alcohol per day increases a woman’s risk of cancer by how much?

13%

exessive body weight accounts for what percentage of deaths from cancer?

14 to 20%

raised hormone levels contribute to what?

tumor growth

excessive weight can cause the high hormone levels

what percentage of lung cancers are linked to smoking? what percentage of all cancers are lung to smoking?

80%

30%