CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY Flashcards
What are the 2 highest causes of death in the world
cardiovascular diseases
cancer
how, generally, has the incidence of cancer changed overtime?
It has generally increased
what is ‘overall survival rate’?
the percentage of people who are alive a certain amount of time after their diagnosis or start of treatment
what is ‘event-free survival rate’?
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.
what is ‘net survival rate’?
how many more will die if they are diagnosed with cancer compared to what we wouldve expected otherwise
what are the most common cancers in the UK?
non-melanoma skin cancer (note that this is often ignored) breast cancer lung cancer prostate cancer bowel cancer
what are the most common cancers in the world?
lung cancer
breast cancer
colorectal cancer
why do we see differences in incidence patterns of cancer between the Uk and the world?
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
how does the number of cancer cases change with age?
it increases up until 65/70 years old and then we see declining numbers of cases as population numbers decrease
what are the most common cancers in young adults?
testicuular, melanomas, colorectal cancers
what are the most common cancers in the older populations?
prostate, lung, colorectal and oral
why has the number of ‘cancers of unknown primary’ massively decreased in recent years?
because more cancers are getting a correct diagnosis now due to better research
which cancers have the highest prevalence in more deprived areas?
larynx, lung, oral cavity, liver and stomach cancers
which type of cancer has had the greatest relative increase in affluent areas?
malignant melanoma
what’s the relationship between social position and survival outcomes?
lower social position= poorer survival outcomes
outline the pattern between cancer and ethnicity in males?
Cancer is more common is white and black groups than the Asian groups.
outline the pattern between cancer and ethnicity in females?
Cancer is more common in white groups and reduced risk in black and Asian groups.
what are the 3 types of population pyramids and give an example of each?
expanding e.g. nigeria
stationary e.g. US
Contracting e.g. Japan
what is an expanding population?
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)
what are stationary populations?
an ageing population with little changes until later years. Annual number of births and deaths is similar.
what are contracting populations?
typical ageing population that is shrinking, fewer young people than there are in older age groups.
which cancer has the highest mortality rate?
lung cancer
why are mortality rates of cancers generally declining?
- some cancers becoming less common
- some cancers are being more effectively treated
- screening is increasing
why are some cancers like liver/pancreas incidence and mortality rates increasing?
increasing obesity levels
how do the Uk compare against other countries for cancer survival rates?
it ranks 20th with South Korea, Japan, Israel, Australia and the US having the best survival rates
how do childhood cancers differ to adult hood cancers?
They tend to occur at different sites
are less common
and they are much more responsive to therapy
what are the most common childhood cancers?
leukaemia, brain/CNS cancers, lymphomas
what are causes of cancer?
infections radiation lifestyle occupation hormones genetics
how many cancer deaths are linked to tobacco use?
50-60%
which cancers link to tobacco use?
cancers of the mouth and throat, voice box, esophagus, stomach, kidney, pancreas, liver, bladder, cervix, colon and rectum, and acute myeloid leukemia
what are the dietary risk factors for colorectal cancers?
red meat
processed meat
what are dietary risk factors for the oral cavity/pharynx and oesophagus cancers?
very hot drinks
salted fish
alcohol
what is a dietary risk factor for stomach cancer?
salt
what are the 3 cancer controls?
prevention
screening
disease management
what are some general risk factors for cancer?
older age personal or family history tobacco use obesity alcohol drinker some types of viral infections chemicals exposure to radiation
