Cancer Flashcards
How do we determine which cancers we screen for and when do we screen for them?
-Asymptomatic
-Clinically relevant: high incidence, mortality, morbidity
-Obvious preclinical stage before symptoms present
-Effective treatment for early-stage cancer
=Improved outcome when treated at an early stage
=Shortening disease duration
=Decreasing the severity of the disease
-Must be cheap, safe, simple, minimally invasive, widely available, culturally acceptable
What types of screening tests are available?
- Imaging, mammogram
- Laboratory tests, PSA
- Exfoliative cytology, Pap smear
- Endoscopy, colonoscopy
- Physical examinations
- Self examinations???
What are some hallmark symptoms of cancer?
- Unexplained weight loss*
- Fever, night sweats*
- Extreme fatigue
- Persistent pain
- Skin changes
- Change in bowel/bladder function
- Nagging cough/hoarseness
- Unusual bleeding/Discharge
- Lumps/thickening in breast
- Difficulty swallowing
When should we start screening high-risk patients?
If family history but no genetic predisposition syndrome, start screening went patient is 10 years younger than age affected family member diagnosed with cancer
Which cancers the highest incidence? Which cancers have the highest mortality?
- Highest incidence: breast and prostate
- Highest mortality: lung and bronchus
What are some red flags for cancer predisposition syndromes?
Cancer in 2 or more close relatives on same side family
Early age at diagnosis
Multiple primaries in the same individual
Bilateral cancers
Constellation of tumors associated with a specific cancer syndrome (ie. breast and ovarian)
Presence of congenital anomalies or syndrome associated benign lesions
Family History:
Paternal and maternal, 2-3 generations
Dynamic and evolve over time
De novo
Those with the BRCA1 gene are at a high risk for which cancers?
Breast cancer 50% to 85%, often and early age of onset
Second primary breast cancer 40% to 60%
Ovarian cancer 15% to 45%
Slightly increased risk of uterine and cervical cancer
Those with the BRCA2 gene are at a high risk for which cancers?
Breast cancer 50% to 85%
Ovarian cancer 10% to 20%
Male breast cancer 6%
What are some general risk factors for developing breast cancer?
Benign breast disease -Proliferative without atypia: RR 1.5-2.0 -Atypical hyperplasia: RR 4.0-5.0 -Atypia with family history: RR 11 Other cancers -Especially breast, and ovarian Previous therapeutic thoracic radiation therapy -2nd or 3rd decade - 56 fold increase
What are some reproductive risk factors for developing breast cancer?
Early menarche (<9 years): RR 1.2
Late menopause (>55 years): RR 2.0
Full-term pregnancy (> 30 years of age): RR 2.0
Nulliparity: RR 1.4
HRT: RR 2
OCP: RR 0.9 - Reduces risk of breast cancer
What are some social history related risk factors for developing breast cancer?
Obesity
Pre menopause: RR 0.6 - 1
Post Menopause: RR 1.16 - 1.74
ETOH
1-2/day: RR 1.04 - 1.19
2-4/day: RR 1.21 – 1.41
Smoking
Fruits/Vegetables
Exercise decrease risk
What are some family history related risk factors for developing breast cancer?
1st Degree: RR 2.5
2nd Degree: RR 1.5
Genetic predisposition syndrome
What factors are incorporated into the Gail model for assessing breast cancer risk?
Age Reproductive History Benign Breast Disease History Atypical Hyperplasia Breast Cancer in Mother or Sisters Race in Modified Model
What factors are NOT incorporated into the Gail model for assessing breast cancer risk?
Other Cancers 2nd Degree Relatives Paternal History Age at Diagnosis in Relatives Modifiable Risks
What do the Gail model results tell you? How well does it assess risk?
Five year risk of developing breast cancer
Lifetime risk of developing breast cancer
May underestimate risk as it does not take everything into account