CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY

Question 1

What are the 2 highest causes of death in the world

Answer 1

cardiovascular diseases

cancer

Question 2

how, generally, has the incidence of cancer changed overtime?

Answer 2

It has generally increased

Question 3

what is ‘overall survival rate’?

Answer 3

the percentage of people who are alive a certain amount of time after their diagnosis or start of treatment

Question 4

what is ‘event-free survival rate’?

Answer 4

the length of time after primary treatment for a cancer ends that the patient remains free of certain complications or events that the treatment was intended to prevent or delay.

Question 5

what is ‘net survival rate’?

Answer 5

how many more will die if they are diagnosed with cancer compared to what we wouldve expected otherwise

Question 6

what are the most common cancers in the UK?

Answer 6

non-melanoma skin cancer
(note that this is often ignored)
breast cancer
lung cancer
prostate cancer
bowel cancer

Question 7

what are the most common cancers in the world?

Answer 7

lung cancer
breast cancer
colorectal cancer

Question 8

why do we see differences in incidence patterns of cancer between the Uk and the world?

Answer 8

the UK has a greater average age
worldwide there are many other diseases which have high mortality
healthcare factors e.g. differences in screening abilities
different exposure to causes

Question 9

how does the number of cancer cases change with age?

Answer 9

it increases up until 65/70 years old and then we see declining numbers of cases as population numbers decrease

Question 10

what are the most common cancers in young adults?

Answer 10

testicuular, melanomas, colorectal cancers

Question 11

what are the most common cancers in the older populations?

Answer 11

prostate, lung, colorectal and oral

Question 12

why has the number of ‘cancers of unknown primary’ massively decreased in recent years?

Answer 12

because more cancers are getting a correct diagnosis now due to better research

Question 13

which cancers have the highest prevalence in more deprived areas?

Answer 13

larynx, lung, oral cavity, liver and stomach cancers

Question 14

which type of cancer has had the greatest relative increase in affluent areas?

Answer 14

malignant melanoma

Question 15

what’s the relationship between social position and survival outcomes?

Answer 15

lower social position= poorer survival outcomes

Question 16

outline the pattern between cancer and ethnicity in males?

Answer 16

Cancer is more common is white and black groups than the Asian groups.

Question 17

outline the pattern between cancer and ethnicity in females?

Answer 17

Cancer is more common in white groups and reduced risk in black and Asian groups.

Question 18

what are the 3 types of population pyramids and give an example of each?

Answer 18

expanding e.g. nigeria
stationary e.g. US
Contracting e.g. Japan

Question 19

what is an expanding population?

Answer 19

show larger numbers or percentages of the population in the younger age groups, usually with each age group smaller in size or proportion than the one born before it.
(high early life mortality)

Question 20

what are stationary populations?

Answer 20

an ageing population with little changes until later years. Annual number of births and deaths is similar.

Question 21

what are contracting populations?

Answer 21

typical ageing population that is shrinking, fewer young people than there are in older age groups.

Question 22

which cancer has the highest mortality rate?

Answer 22

lung cancer

Question 23

why are mortality rates of cancers generally declining?

Answer 23

• some cancers becoming less common
• some cancers are being more effectively treated
• screening is increasing

Question 24

why are some cancers like liver/pancreas incidence and mortality rates increasing?

Answer 24

increasing obesity levels

Question 25

how do the Uk compare against other countries for cancer survival rates?

Answer 25

it ranks 20th with South Korea, Japan, Israel, Australia and the US having the best survival rates

Question 26

how do childhood cancers differ to adult hood cancers?

Answer 26

They tend to occur at different sites
are less common
and they are much more responsive to therapy

Question 27

what are the most common childhood cancers?

Answer 27

leukaemia, brain/CNS cancers, lymphomas

Question 28

what are causes of cancer?

Answer 28

infections
radiation
lifestyle
occupation
hormones 
genetics

Question 29

how many cancer deaths are linked to tobacco use?

Answer 29

50-60%

Question 30

which cancers link to tobacco use?

Answer 30

cancers of the mouth and throat, voice box, esophagus, stomach, kidney, pancreas, liver, bladder, cervix, colon and rectum, and acute myeloid leukemia

Question 31

what are the dietary risk factors for colorectal cancers?

Answer 31

red meat

processed meat

Question 32

what are dietary risk factors for the oral cavity/pharynx and oesophagus cancers?

Answer 32

very hot drinks
salted fish
alcohol

Question 33

what is a dietary risk factor for stomach cancer?

Answer 33

salt

Question 34

what are the 3 cancer controls?

Answer 34

prevention
screening
disease management

Question 35

what are some general risk factors for cancer?

Answer 35

older age
personal or family history
tobacco use
obesity
alcohol drinker
some types of viral infections
chemicals
exposure to radiation