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Final year semester 2 exam > cancer > Flashcards

cancer Flashcards

1
Q

list some of the cancer classifications

A
  • carcinoma (epithelial)
  • sarcoma (connective tissue)
  • myeloma (plasma cells of the bone marrow)
  • leukaemia (bone marrow)
  • lymphoma (lymphatic system)
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2
Q

Define oncogenes and mutation

A

they are positive growth regulators. when there is a mutation of oncogenes, this leads to uncontrolled cell growth

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3
Q

Define tumour suppressor genes and mutation

A

eg BRCA gene is originally a tumour suppressor gene that regulates cell devision and can activate apoptosis. when they are mutated, there is little control of tumour suppression.

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4
Q

define DNA repair genes and mutation

A

code for the proteins that repair DNA, and activate apoptosis if they cannot be repaired. mutation: over time they will not be able to repair DNA and will cause cancer cells

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5
Q

which SNPs are related to breast cancer?

A
  • BRCA 1 and 2
  • ESR 1 and 2
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6
Q

which SNPs are related to many cancers such as prostate, lung, gut and lung

A
  • MTHFR
  • GSTP1 (utilising glutathione)
  • VDR
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7
Q

which SPN is associated with increased lung cancer risk

A

CYP1A1

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8
Q

which SNP is associated with increased prostate cancer risk

A

CYP1B1

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9
Q

what functions can SNPs effect in relation to cancer?

A
  • detoxification
  • antioxidant
  • cell repair pathways
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10
Q

what does gene GSTP1 do

A

utilises glutathione to reduce environmental toxins and heavy metals

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11
Q

how can high levels of cabs promote cancer?

A
  • high insulin promote the mTOR pathway (at the expense of the beneficial AMPK pathway) which is a signalling pathway that promotes growth
  • cancer loves sugar
  • consistent high intake = hyperglycaemia = inflammation and IGF1
  • tumours express insulin receptors, so high insulin = tumour growth
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12
Q

what does the AMPK pathway do and how can it be enhanced?

A

clearance of non-viable cells. it can be enhanced by a low carb diet, ketogenic diet and fasting.

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13
Q

what does IGF1 do?

A

inhibits apoptosis and stimulates cell proliferation

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14
Q

how can being overweight promote cancer?

A
  • excess adipose tissue = oestrogen, insulin, IGF1 and leptin
  • low adiponectin (protects against tumour growth)
  • increases inflammation and oxidative stress = DNA damage
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15
Q

what does NF-kB activate?

A
  • cell proliferation
  • metastasis
  • angiogenesis
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16
Q

high levels of what amino acid causes activation of NF-kB?

A

homocysteine

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17
Q

What causes AGEs?

A

too much circulating glucose

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18
Q

how can leaky gut promote cancer?

A

gram negative bacteria from the microbiome (LPS) enter the blood stream causing inflammation from IL-6 and NF-kB

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19
Q

how is omega-6 cancer causing?

A

creates arachadonic acid, activates prostaglandins and other inflammatory processes

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20
Q

how does vitamin D protect from cancer?

A
  • vitamin D regulates the cell cycle
  • induces apoptosis
  • downregulates apoptotic genes
  • promotes cell differentiation
  • anti-inflammatory in tumour microenvironment
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21
Q

how does vitamin D regulate the cell cycle

A

it interferes between G1 and S, and stops non-viable cells from growing any further

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22
Q

how can dairy cause cancer?

A

IGF-1 in dairy promotes cell proliferation

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23
Q

when cooking starchy foods at above 120oc, what carcinogen can be produced?

A

acrylamide

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24
Q

which carcinogen does alcohol create in the liver?

A

acetyldehyde

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25
Q

how can stress cause cancer?

A
  • high cortisol levels can cause suppression of the tumour suppression gene p53
  • weakens immune cells
  • increase SNS activation causing stem cell dysregulation and increased risk of tumour growth
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26
Q

how does melatonin prevent cancer?

A

antioxidant increasing cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes and t cell immune activities

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27
Q

what diet changes can help support cancer patients?

A
  • nutrient dense
  • Mediterranean diet
  • elimination of dairy, processed meat, refined carbs, artificial sweeteners
  • optimise vitamin D (75-125 nmol/l)
  • sleep
  • stress management
  • support blood glucose
  • lymphatic system support
28
Q

how can polyphenols help with cancer?

A
  • high antioxidant status (reduce DNA oxidative damage)
  • downregulate NF-kB
  • anti-proliferative
  • anti-apoptotic
  • anti-angiogenic
  • anti-metastatic
29
Q

how do polyphenols support inhibiting angiogenesis?

A

tumours secrete the protein vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoting the growth of new blood vessels for the tumour, and polyphenols inhibit this.

30
Q

how does the p53 gene support cancer inhibition?

A

it is antagonistic to NF-kB and mTOR

31
Q

name some anti-cancer polyphenols, and what foods are they in

A
  • curcumin (turmeric)
  • EGCG (green tea)
  • reservatrol (grape skin, raspberries and blueberries)
  • anthocyanins (blueberries, red grapes, acai berries)
  • lycopene (tomatoes, watermelon)
  • ## quercitin (onions)
32
Q

how does the mTOR pathway support cancer growth?

A
  • promotes protein synthesis, increasing cell proliferation
  • enhances metabolic process, increasing cell proliferation
  • resistance to apoptosis
  • promotes angiogenesis
33
Q

how does omega-3 inhibit NF-kB?

A

generates pro-resolution mediators such as resolvins and protectins, that prevent the inflammatory processes

34
Q

how does cancer change glucose and what does it do? which diet would inhibit this?

A

is uses glycolysis to change glucose to pyruvate, which is then converted to isolactic acid and a small amount of ethanol. ketogenic diet would help this not happen.

35
Q

how does the fasting mimicking diet help to support cancer patients?

A
  • downregulating pro-oncogene pathways putting the cells into stress-resistant mode
  • levels of glucose, insulin and IGF-1 are lowered
  • adiponectic is increased (reduces inflammation)
  • reduces mTOR activity
  • induces sirturin activity which plays a role in maintaining genome integrity, keeping DNA from getting damaged and mutated
  • anti-tumour effect protecting cells from toxins from chemotherapy
36
Q

how does cachexia happen in cancer patients?

A

cancer cells need carbon and nitrogen to make new cells. they get this from the L-glutamine found in muscles.

37
Q

which supplements would you suggest for cachexia?

A
  • omega-3
  • carnitine (prevents muscle catabolism)
38
Q

How can vitamin D help cancer patients? RD?

A
  • anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating
  • inhibits cancer cell proliferation
  • pro-apoptotic
  • anti-angiogenic
  • supplements have been shown to support chemo

RD: 5000-20,000 IU/day

39
Q

How can Reishi help cancer patients? RD?

A
  • inhibit NF-kB
  • supports immune function (increase NK cells)
  • especially helps with breast and prostate cancer

RD: 6g daily

40
Q

How can vitamin C help cancer patients? RD?

A
  • reduce risk of cancer
  • enhances immune function
  • reduces oxidative stress
  • can reverse genetic impact of environmental pollutants

RD: 1-5g/day preventative

41
Q

what can vitamin C be taken with to avoid nausea?

A

take with magnesium and calcium

42
Q

how does IV vitamin C help cancer patients

A
  • acts as a pro-oxidative to cancer cells (cancer cells thrive in low-oxygen state)
  • inhibits cancer cell migration
  • immune stimulant
43
Q

How can shittake help cancer patients? RD?

A
  • promotes the p53 tumour suppressant gene
  • anti-angiogenic
  • pro-apoptotic
  • anti-proliferative
  • reduces chemo side effects

RD: 6g /day

44
Q

How can turkey tail help cancer patients? RD?

A
  • the polysaccharides can prolong life
  • minimise chemo/radio side effects
  • anti-angiogenic
  • pro-apoptosis
  • anti-proliferative
45
Q

How can resveratrol help cancer patients? RD?

A
  • antioxidant
  • anti-tumour
  • anti-inflammatory
  • sensitises cancer cells to chemo

RD: 1500-3000 mg/day

46
Q

What does Garsons therapy involve?

A
  • organic plant based juice diet (13 juices for 13 hours)
  • supplements: potassium, thyroid hormones, pancreatic enzymes, iodine solution, B3 and B12
  • coffee enemas, clay and caster oil packs
46
Q

How can turmeric help cancer patients? RD?

A
  • anti-inflammatory
  • antioxidant
  • interferes with cell signalling pathways including apoptosis, angiogenesis and proliferation

RD: 1-2g /day

47
Q

which 2 traits do all cancer cells share?

A
  • addiction to glucose
  • hypoxia
48
Q

which supplements should be prescribed with caution?

A
  • folate
  • iron
  • glutamine
49
Q

name some breast cancer risk factors

A
  • high circulating oestrogen, testosterone or progesterone
  • starting period before the age of 12
  • HRT use and OCP
  • having children after the age of 30
  • imbalance between oestrogen metabolites (2-OH-E, 4-OH-E and 16a-OH-E)
  • obesity
  • heavy metals
  • poor detoxification (methylation of COMT)
  • constipation and dysbiosis
50
Q

which of the oestrogen metabolites is pro-carcinogenic

A

4-OH-E

51
Q

how is 2-OH-E positive for the body?

A
  • anti-proliferative
  • anti-carcinogenic
52
Q

how is 16a-OH-E harmful

A

can cause DNA damage and cell proliferation

53
Q

how do we address oestrogen dominance and the oestrogen metabolites?

A
  • cruciferous veggies
  • resveratrol
  • turmeric
  • berries
  • indole-3-carbonol (induces CYP1A1)
  • omega-3 improves 4-OH:16-OH metabolites
  • flaxseeds
  • support phase 2 oestrogen metabolism
54
Q

What supplemetns can support methylation?

A
  • B12
  • B6
  • folate
  • choline
  • betaine
  • glutathione
55
Q

How does reishi prevent breast cancer

A

inhibits NF-kB and aromatase activity

56
Q

Name some risks for prostate cancer

A
  • poor methylation/detoxification
  • abdominal obesity
  • increase 5a-reductase (conversion of testosterone to DHT)
  • high saturated fat intake
  • gut dysbiosis (b-glucaronidase = oestrogen = cell proliferation)
57
Q

How can zink be useful for prostate cancer?

A
  • reduces DHT by inhibiting 5a-reductase which converts testosterone to DHT
  • reduces inflammation via inhibiting NF-kB
  • stabilises RNA/DNA
  • anti-proliferative
58
Q

How can selenium be useful for prostate cancer?

A
  • cofactor in glutathione peroxidase
  • reduces oxidative damage of dietary fats
59
Q

How can lycopene be useful for prostate cancer?

A
  • reduces oxidative damage of DNA
  • reduces growth and risk of prostate cancer calls
60
Q

List some colorectal cancer risks

A
  • disturbance to gut microbiome or colonic mucosal membrane
  • smoking
  • no exercise
  • alcohol intake
  • high intake of red meat
  • low fibre
61
Q

how can quercetin help with colorectal cancer?

A
  • inhibits NF-kB, TNF-a and COX-2
  • antioxidant
  • induces production of glutathione
  • reduces DNA damage
  • influences signal pathways to reduce proliferation and induce apoptosis
  • may increase response to treatment
62
Q

how can calcium help with colorectal cancer?

A
  • increases diferentiation and apoptosis of non-viable cells
  • reduces proliferation
63
Q

which nutrients and herbs can help with cancer treatment side effects?

A
  • ginger for nausea
  • slippery elm for diarrhoea
  • bifidobactrium and lactobacillus for diarrhoea
  • vitamin D (low levels increase osteoporosis risk and side effect severity)
  • exercise helps with fatigue during and after treatment
64
Q

what are nutritional recommendations for someone after BMT

A
  • increase protein (not red or processed meat)
  • high polyphenols
  • be aware of transplant-acquired allergies
65
Q
A

Final year semester 2 exam (9 decks)

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