CANCER Flashcards
Definition and Prevalence of Cancer
Cancer is a mass of cells that grow rapidly and refuse to spread.
Term “Carcinos” and “carcinoma” describe tumors.
80% of the increase in cancer occurs in third-world countries.
375,000 new cancer cases yearly in the UK.
Men are more prone to cancer.
Mortality: 460 deaths daily; lung, breast, bowel, and prostate cancer account for 45% of all cancer-related deaths.
High mortality in people aged 75+.
1 in 2 people born after 1960 in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer.
Cancer Risk and Survival
Factors affecting cancer risk: Age, genetics, smoking (largest cause in the UK).
Survival higher in women than men.
Survival has doubled in the last 40 years in the UK
Types of Cancer
Carcinoma: Most common, arises from cells covering internal and external body surfaces (lung, breast, colon).
Sarcomas: Found in supporting tissues like bone, cartilage, connective tissue, and muscle.
Lymphomas: Cancers in lymph nodes and immune system tissues.
Leukemias: Immature blood cells in bone marrow.
Brain and CNS cancer: Categorized by histopathology and molecular characteristics.
Cancer Cell vs. Normal Cell
Cancer cells: Continuous reproduction, remain immature, do not obey signals, detach for metastasis.
Normal cells: Stop reproducing, differentiate, reproduce exactly, adhere together, self-destruct if damaged (apoptosis).
How Cancer Develops
Multistep process.
Cells become cancerous when DNA is damaged or loses a gene.
Loss of control system enables the growth of cancerous cells.
3 essentials for carcinogenesis: Oncogenes, genes that stop cell multiplication, genes that repair damaged genes.
Symptoms of Cancer
Fatigue, weight change, change in bowels, coughing and breathing struggles, skin changes, indigestion, unexplained bleeding or bruising, lumps
Cancer Risk Changes
Controllable: Diet, smoking, alcohol, physical activity.
Uncontrollable: Age, genetics, viruses
Cancer Diagnosis
Physical exam.
Blood and urine tests (mostly for leukemia).
Scans and imaging tests.
Biopsy samples.
Complications with Treatment
Pain, fatigue, difficulty breathing, nausea, weight loss, weakens the immune system, metastasis (cancer spreading).
Cancer Treatment
Primary treatment.
Adjuvant treatment (kills remaining cells).
Palliative treatment (reduces side effects).
Cancer & Physical Activity
Obesity associated with 13 types of cancer.
Increased physical activity leads to weight management and decreased insulin sensitivity.
High insulin concentration increases cancer risk.
Chronic low-grade inflammation contributes to DNA damage and cancer.
Exercise reduces inflammation and cancer risk.
Physical activity promotes faster food transition through the colon, reducing exposure to carcinogens.
