Cancer Flashcards
what is the definition of cancer?
-cancer starts in once cell or a small group of cells in the body which divide in an uncontrolled way.
how does cancer develop?
-cancer develops in the body when abnormal cells multiply which may cause a growth or lump called a tumor. This can continue to grow in one place or spread into other tissues
what are the 6 factors that can influence an individuals cancer risk?
-fat
-salt
-meat
-wholegrains plant foods
-fruit and vegetables
-antioxidant nutrients
how does fat increase the risk of cancer?
-high fat= high calorie which can contribute to obesity which is associated with many cancers due to greater adiposity
-increased risk of breast and bowl cancer due to oestrogen in the fat tissue, obese individuals have more fat tissue therefore raised oestrogen levels
how does too much salt increase the risk of cancer?
-can cause gastric cancer as high salt reduces gastric acidity and promotes conversion of nitrates to nitrites which are carcinogenic
-eating lots of processed foods can increase salt intake
-6g per day
how can too much meat increase the risk of cancer?
-no more than 70g per day
-haem content of meat inflames lining of the bowel which can increase the risk of cancer
-charring and overcooking meat at high temps increases the risk of amine chemicals which are linked to cancer
-nitrates found in in cured meat increase risk of cancer as they form N-nitroso compounds
how can wholegrain food help decrease the risk of cancer?
-wholegrain pasta, rice etc. are sources of insoluble fibre which assist digestion by adding bulk to faeces which helps prevent constipation
-this helps to remove carcinogens at a faster rate from the bowel which helps reduce the rick of colorectal cancer
how can fruit and vegetables help reduce the risk of cancer?
-provide soluble and insoluble fiber which assists digestion and helps to remove toxins and waste more efficiently from the body
-rich in antioxidant vitamins A,C,E
how can antioxidant vitamins reduce the risk of cancer?
-A,C,E mop up free radicals and play a protective role against DNA damage which prevents oral cancers
-phytochemicals like lycopene which is found in tomatoes also protects against some types of cancers
what are the 6 things that can influence in the development of cancer?
-body fat
-physical activity
-alcohol
-breastfeeding
-smoking
-sun exposure
what are 4 ways in which too much body fat can be of influence in the development of cancer?
-excess body fat can increase the risk for post menopausal breast cancer as fat cells can contribute to raised oestrogen levels which increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers
-fat tissue causes inflammation which can promote cancerous changes in healthy cells
-excess body fat can lead to insulin resistance which means cells cannot take in glucose and start to divide more as insulin levels are increased as a result
-obese people have higher levels of inflammatory cytokines which are proteins that help inflammation in the blood which causes chronic inflammation which can cause cancer
what are 5 ways in which raised PAL can help following the development of cancer?
-prevents high levels of insulin which is linked breast and colon cancer, regulates hormones
-reduces inflammation and improves immune system functioning by increasing the mopping of free radicals that cause oxidative damage and can cause cancer
-reduce the amount of time it takes for food to travel through the digestive system which decreases gastrointestinal tract exposure to possible carcinogens particularly in the colon
-reduces stress and so prevents cancer as people who are stressed are more likely to pick up cancerous habits e.g. smoking, more physical activity can help decrease BMI
what are 5 ways in which alcohol can influence in the development of cancer?
-it is carcinogenic which means it causes cellular damage which triggers cancer development
-raises hormone levels which can increase the risk of cancer
-reduces folate absorption, excess alcohol causes damge to the stomach lining which reduces its absorption which increases the risk of breast and colon cancer
-cause liver cirrhosis which increases the risk of liver cancer
-alcohol contains ethanol, when drank is converted into toxic acetaldehyde which can be useful but when in excess can cause a build up and can damage DNA and cause calls to become cancerous, meaning more drank the more acetaldehyde and the more DNA damage increasing the risk of cancer
what are the 7 types of cancer that can be caused my alcohol?
-mouth/ upper throat
-larynx
-oesophagus
-breast
-liver
-bowel
what are the 2 ways that breastfeeding can help following the development of cancer?
-ovaries do not produce eggs as there is little oestrogen due to delayed menstruation and so the longer time spent breastfeeding the lower the risk of developing cancer
-the shedding of the breast tissue at the end of lactation can offer protection against breast cancer
-it can also reduce stress and improve mental health by forming a close relationship between mother and baby and so can reduce the risk of cancer
