Studied by 2 people
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
benign tumors (noncancerous)
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%
