1 - Understanding Cancer Flashcards
What is the origin of cancer?
Cancer originates with gene mutations that disrupt communication from the cell surface to the nucleus
What are mutated tumor suppressor genes responsible for?
They lead to the creation of abnormal cells that can divide quickly, avoid dying, and evade the immune system
What is signal transduction?
The process of communication from the cell surface to the nucleus
What are metabolic pathways?
Sequential processes or functions in the body controlled by enzymes that catalyze chemical reactions in a cell
What are the two types of metabolic pathways?
- Anabolic (building up)
- Catabolic (breaking down)
What does the acronym CAUTION stand for in cancer warning signs?
- Change in bowel or bladder habits
- A sore that does not heal
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
- Obvious change in a wart or mole
- Nagging cough or hoarseness
What are local effects of cancer?
- Lumps, lesions, or obstructions
- Infiltration of cancer into adjacent tissues leading to local pain
- Tissue death leading to bleeding and/or infections and pain
What are systemic effects of cancer?
- Fever, night sweats
- Blood disorders, including anemia
- Hormonal and metabolic disorders
- Cachexia
What characterizes a benign tumor?
- Local
- Well-differentiated cohesive cells
- Usually contained within a fibrous capsule
- Slow growing
- Does not metastasize
What is a malignant tumor?
- Rough, irregular, and hard
- Incohesive and disorganized cells
- Rapid and continued growth
- Metastasizes readily
What is the difference between low-grade and high-grade malignant tumors?
Low-grade tumors are subclinical and less severe, while high-grade tumors exhibit aggressive characteristics and rapid growth
What is the classification of tumors by tissue of origin?
- Germ cells: Dermoid cyst, Teratoma
- Surface epithelium: Papilloma, Carcinoma
- Glandular epithelium: Adenoma, Adenocarcinoma
- Fibrous connective tissue: Fibroma, Fibrosarcoma
- Fatty connective tissue: Lipoma, Liposarcoma
What are some industrial toxins that can cause cancer?
- Arsenic
- Asbestos
- Chlorination by-products
- Industrial solvents
- Pesticides
- Petrochemicals
What nutrients assist in the removal of estrogens?
- Calcium-D-glucarate
- Choline
- 3,3’-diindolylmethane (DIM)
- Folate
- L-methionine or S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)
- Magnesium
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
- Selenium, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12
What are some herbs with antiviral properties?
- Andrographis
- Baikal skullcap
- Bupleurum
- Garlic
- Greater celandine
- Japanese knotweed
- Licorice
- Oregon grape
- Kutki
What are adaptogens?
Herbs that help in building resilience, resistance, and stress tolerance
What are key features of an anticancer diet?
- Regular intake of fruits and vegetables
- High dietary intake of selenium, folic acid, vitamins, and minerals
- Plenty of plant fiber
- Low intake of dairy
- Modest intake of meat
- Limited sweets
What are triterpenes?
Compounds that modulate inflammation and are found in various herbs
What is the best protection against sunburn?
Judicious exposure early in the season and early in the day to build a base tan
Fill in the blank: Cancer is a _______ disease.
[systemic]
