Cancer

Question 1

What is cancer?

Answer 1

Cancer is when abnormal cells divide in an uncontrolled way as a result of gene changes within a cell- mutation

primary- where it starts
secondary- spreads to other body parts

most start due to gene changes that happen over a persons lifetime

Question 2

Risk

High energy intakes

Answer 2

-High energy intakes through the consumption of fat (highest energy intake- 1g gives 9kals of energy) can contribute to cancer as positive energy balance leads to increased adipose tissue and hence overweight
-more fat, more fat tissue, more fat cells, more likely of cells to become abnormal

-obesity increases the risk of breast cancer in post menopausal women- after menopause, oestrogen levels gradually increase by 50%- due to increased hormone levels
-breast cancer is sensitive to levels of oestrogen and after the menopause, the main oestrogen source is from body fat, more body fat present, the higher levels of oestrogen

Question 3

Fat Intakes

Answer 3

-promote carcinogens- increase free radicals in the body, damage DNA, cause cancer

the type of fat and amount contributes:
-PUFA omega 6- act as promoters of cancer and increase the risk of tumours in the breast and colon

-high fat intake levels- lead to positive energy balance- results in overweight and obesity- promoters of cancer

Question 4

Sodium/ salt

Answer 4

-no more than 6g per day

-causative cancer factor

-high osmotic activity- linked to gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) result in early damage to the mucosa- acts as gastric irritant, leads to degeneration of the acid secreting glands in stomach and increases the acid secreting bacteria- produce carcinogenic substance- nitrosamines

-mono sodium glutamate- linked to stomach cancer