Cancer Flashcards
What is cancer
A group of diseases with processes associated with uncontrolled and abnormal cell growth and proliferation
What can be the cause of cancer, what is it called
It can be different things in various people (idiopathic) and in some people, the cause is never known
How many types of cancers are there
at least 30
What are the 4 groups of cancer
Carcinoma
Sarcoma
Lymphoma
Leukaemia
What is carcinoma
Cancer in the skin or tissues that line internal organs
What is sarcoma
Cancer in muscle, connective tissue, fat and bone
What is lymphoma
Cancer in the lymphatic system
What is leukaemia
Cancer in bone marrow (blood-forming tissue)
What was the leading cause of death in Canada in 2021
Cancer, followed by heart disease
What was the second cause of death in the US in 2017, and how many men and women were affected
cancer
40% of men
38% of women
Globally, what was the amount of deaths due to cancer in 2018
9.6 millions
Is the rate of cancer prevalence expected to rise or fall? why?
it is expected to rise due to growth and ageing od the world population
What is the percentage of cancers linked to heredity? what does this mean
10-15%
Most cancers are due to external factors (lifestyle or environment)
What was the economic burden of cancer in 2015 in the US?
80.2 billion dollars without accounting for lost productivity
Do external and internal factors act alone or together?
Over time, more factors can interact together and increase the risk of developing cancer
What are the internal factors that increase risks
Heredity
Immune dysfunction
Abnormal metabolism
What are the external factors that increase risks
Smoking
Sedentary lifestyle
Pollution
Radiation exposure
For cancer in general, what are the steps of the multi-stage model of carcinogenesis
- Initiation: genetic mutation (spontaneous or over time) the altered genes grow cells more quickly
- Promotion: some of the converted cells become precancerous and there’s a rapid proliferation
- Progression: the proliferating precancerous cells become an invasive tumour (cancer cells)
What is a benign tumour
Non-cancerous, they do not spread and are usually non-life-threatening
What is a malignant tumour
Cancerous, invades the neighbouring tissues and spreads to other parts of the body
Why is it pertinent to study the multi-stage model?
It makes it possible to study the possible mechanisms by which PA can interrupt the process and prevent cancer from progressing
What are the traditional cancer treatments
- Chemotherapy: radioactive substances travel in the blood to kill cancer cells
- Radiation therapy: High-energy radiation to shrink tumours and kill cancer cells
- Hormone therapy: REmove hormones from the body to stop cancer cell’s function and limit growth
What percentage of annual cancer deaths were due to lifestyle risk factors in the US in 2014
45%
What are the lifestyle risk factors for most cancers
- obesity
- physical inactivity
- unhealthy eating
- smoking
What are the non-modifiable risk factors for cancer
Age
Heredity
Sex
What are the modifiable risk factors for cancer
Physical inactivity
Obesity
Tobacco use
Poor nutrient intake (and excessive alcohol)
Sun exposure
Toxic environment exposure
What BMI significantly increase the risk of most cancers
over or equal to 25-30
What is the main risk factor for lung and bronchial cancers
tobacco use
A relationship between PA and reduced cancer risk has been […] for […].
found consistently
Colon and breast cancer
What does it mean if a dose-response relationship was found between PA and colon/breast cancer?
how much lower is the risk for the most active women?
Men?
The more someone is active, the more they lower their risk of developing cancer
10-15%
19%
Is the risk lowered in only breast and colon cancer?
No, PA also lowers the risk of developing endometrial, bladder, oesophagal, kidney and stomach cancers
How does PA hypothetically reduce cancer risks
- avoidance of excessive weight gain or loss
- improve insulin resistance
- lower systemic low-grade inflammation (can damage tissue)
- Lower colon transit time
- Lower production of sex hormone
- Improve immune response
With which pathways can PA affect cancer risks?
Indirect: PA reduces adipose tissue and so affects risk reduction
Direct: PA directly affect the reduction of risk factors
How many people were living with or were survivors of cancer in 2016 in the US
15-16 million people
What are the benefits of PA during and after cancer treatment?
- Increase energy levels
- Relives stress
- Decreases anxiety and depression
- Controls weight
- Better physical functioning
- Reduces fatigue
- Improves self-esteem
What is the difference between traditional cancer treatments and PA?
Traditional treatments often have negative effects on the body whereas PA has positive effects (the largest effect found that PA improves strength after treatment)
For colon cancer, what are the PA guidelines?
consistently having about 30-60 minutes of MVPA/day can lower the risks
Which type of PA has the strongest association with lowering risks
aerobic leisure time PA
What are the general guidelines for cancer prevention
- 150 min, MV or 75 minutes V
- strength twice a week for major muscle groups
How can survivors reduce the adverse effects of treatment and lower the risks of other chronic diseases
being active
