Cancer epidemiology Flashcards

1
Q

Highest global causes of death =?

A

Ischaemic heart disease and stroke = the highest global causes of death (not cancer).

o I.E. Melanoma is most common in AUS/NZ and colorectal cancer is most common in Japan.

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2
Q

How have death rates from CVS diseases and cancer changed over the years (US)

A
  • Death rates from CVS disease have dropped over the years.

- Death rates from cancer have remained stable/increased-slightly over the years.

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3
Q

Describe the cancer incidence in developed vs undeveloped countries

A

Developed countries have a greater incidence of cancer than undeveloped countries.

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4
Q

State the most common cancers in males and females (US)

A

Males – prostate and lung cancers are the most common cancers.

Females – breast and cervix uteri cancers are the most common cancers.

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5
Q

Use examples to show that incidence of different cancers can show a strong geographical variation

A

Melanoma is most common in AUS/NZ and colorectal cancer is most common in Japan.

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6
Q

Migrant Studies are used to study what? Give two examples

A

Cancer incidence

e.g. Melanoma in migrants to Australia from UK/western Europe (risk increases with migration); Stomach cancer incidence in Hawaii Japanese migrants (risk decreased on migration)

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7
Q

What does a rapid change in cancer risk following migration imply?
A slow change in cancer risk suggests what?
No change/persistence of rates between generations suggests what as being important in determining risk?

A
  • A rapid change in risk following migration implies that lifestyle/environment factors act late in carcinogenesis.
  • A slow change suggests that exposures early in life are the most relevant
  • Persistence of rates between generations suggests genetic susceptibility is important in determining risk
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8
Q

Describe the incidence rates for common cancers in high-income and low-income countries. Effected by what?

A

Incidence is increasing for common cancers in both high-income (now with plateauing and even decreases) and low-income countries – effects of earlier diagnosis, screening, changes in risk factors?

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9
Q

How does cancer mortality rates differ in high-income vs low-income countries?

A

Mortality is decreasing in most high-income countries, not in low income countries.

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10
Q

Why is the total burden due to cancer increasing mainly?

A

Total burden is increasing because of demographic changes (ageing populations, increasing size), and Westernization of lifestyles (unhealthy lifestyle)

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11
Q

Smoking accounts for what percentage of cancer deaths?
Associated with increased risk of how many cancer types?
Percentage of lung cancer deaths in males and females caused by smoking?

A

Smoking – accounts for >30% of cancer deaths, associated with increased risk for at least 15 cancer types, causes 90% male lung cancer deaths + 80% female lung cancer deaths

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12
Q

Colorectal cancer chance increased with what kind of diet?

A

low fibrous diet.

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13
Q

Alcohol as a risk factor for cancer.

A
  • Synergistic with tobacco
  • mechanism is poorly understood
  • associated with liver, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and oesophageal cancer.
  • has a preventative effect for CHD.
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14
Q

What is Anthropometry?

World cancer research fund guidelines for dietary prevention - list the dietary guidelines for cancer prevention.

A

Anthropometry – study of measurements and proportions of the human body.
World cancer research fund guidelines for dietary prevention:
- Be lean without being underweight.
- Be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Avoid sugary drinks.
- Eat a variety of fruit/veg.
- Limit consumption of red meat (<500g/week) and avoid processed meat.
- Limit alcoholic drinks.
- Limit consumption of salty foods.

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15
Q

What correlates with breast cancer risk?

A

Post-menopausal serum sex steroids increases with breast cancer risk.

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16
Q

Infectious causes of cancer -

A

~16% of cancer is from an infectious cause (25% in Africa and <10% in EU).

HPV (cervix cancer)
EBV (Hodgkin’s/Burkett’s Lymphoma), HCV/HBV (liver cancer)
H. pylori (stomach cancer)

17
Q

The five major forms of cancer contributing to worldwide mortality are?

A

lung, stomach, liver, colorectal and breast.

18
Q

In the developed world, over the last 20 years substantial increases in the five-year survival rates have been achieved for…?

Little therapeutic progress has been made over the last 20 years for other cancers such as what in particular?

A

breast and prostate cancer among the major cancers.

For other cancers, in particular that of the lung, little therapeutic progress has been made over the last 20 years.

19
Q

Number of new cases of cancer every year?Kills how many approx. worldwide every year?

A

There are approximately 14 million new cases of cancer every year and these diseases kill approximately 8 million people worldwide every year.

20
Q

Approx. how many worldwide living with cancer?

The number of new cases is expected to rise by what over the next 20yrs?

A

Approximately 33 million people worldwide are living with cancer
The number of new cases is expected to rise by 70% over the next 20 years.