cancer

Question 1

incidence and mortality increasing

Answer 1

growing and aging population

Question 2

What is Cancer?

Answer 2

uncontrolled growth & spread of abnormal cells

Question 3

what is cancer caused by

Answer 3

mutations in genes that regulate cell division
- mutations may be acquired (spontaneous errors, environmental exposures) or inherited
- dysregulation of cell cycle
- unchecked cell proliferation - malignant growths
- tumour invades healthy issue
-disrupts function of vital organs

Question 4

how does the body for a second tumour

Answer 4

if cells break away from the primary site they can metasize (travel to other parts of the body)

Question 5

carcinogenesis

Answer 5

process of cancer devlopment

Question 6

angiogenesis

Answer 6

formation of new blood vessels

Question 7

Malignant vs. Benign

Answer 7

benign: not cancer - local growth
malignant: cancer - can metastasize

Question 8

carcinomas

Answer 8

arise from cells that cover external, internal body surfaces
- lung, breast, colon, bladder, prostate

Question 9

sarcomas

Answer 9

arise from cells found in supporting tissues of the body
bone, cartilage, fat, connective tissue, muscle

Question 10

lymphomas:

Answer 10

arise in the lymph nodes and tissues of immune system

Question 11

leukemias:

Answer 11

cancers of the immature blood cells that grow in the bone marrow - tend to accumulate in large #’s in bloodstream

Question 12

prevention strategies

Answer 12

Self-exams and cancer screening
early detection → early intervention
secondary/tertiary prevention
significant impact on disease progression
↓ morbidity and mortality
e.g. skin, colon, prostate, testicular, cervical and breast

Question 13

Skin check

Answer 13

A - asymmetry
B- border irregularity
C- colour is not uniform
D- Diamterer> 6mm
E- evolving

Question 14

Breast self exam

Answer 14

become familiar with look and feel- monthly
lumps, dimpling, swelling, redness, changes in nipple

Question 15

testicular self-exam

Answer 15

monthly
unusual lumps, markings

Question 16

Breast screening

Answer 16

mammography, genetic testing

Question 17

Colorectal screening

Answer 17

fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
colonoscopy

Question 18

Prostate screening

Answer 18

Rectal exam
Prostate-specific antigen(PSA)

Question 19

cervical screening

Answer 19

PAP test

Question 20

biopsy

Answer 20

removal of tissue-examined by pathology

Question 21

diagnostic imaging

Answer 21

MRI, CT scans

Question 22

Cancer staging/grading

Answer 22

T- how large is the tumour
N- have cancer cells spread to regional nodes
M- has cancer spread to other parts of the body (metastasis)

Question 23

Cancer surgery

Answer 23

removal of tumour
surrounding tissue
Goal: clear margin

Question 24

Chemotherapy

Answer 24

destroys cancer cells, prevents growth, prevents angiogenesis
- targets cells dividing rapidly

Question 25

radiation

Answer 25

most effective in treating localized tumours
- destroys malignant cells
Local damage of healthy cells

Question 26

genetics

Answer 26

accounts for ~ 5-10%of cancers
inheritance of gene mutation
increases susceptibility

Question 27

Environmental Exposures

Answer 27

environmental contaminents:
- toxic substances in air, water, soil
- natural or manufactured
- examples: asbestos, arsenic, formaldehyde

ionizing radiation
- e.g. x-rays, ultraviolet rays
- associates with DNA damage
- e.g. UV-B and skin cancer

Question 28

Infectious Agents

Answer 28

Accounts for 17% of cancer worldwide
7% in developed countries
Mechanisms
Chronic inflammation, immune suppression, DNA damage

Question 29

Medical Treatments

Answer 29

Diethylstillbestrol (DES) - ~1940-1971
used to control bleeding during pregnancy and reduce risk of miscarriage, premature labor
increase risk of reproductive cancers, problems with fertility and pregnancy in daughter(NCI, 2011)

Hormone replacement therapy
estrogen & pprogesterone
risk of breast, ovarian, endometrial cancer
some chemotherapy treatments
increase risk for other cancers e.g. leukemia