Cancer in the UK case study Flashcards
How does poor diet and lack of excercise influence the prevalence of cancer in the UK?
1/20 cancer cases in the UK linked to obesity
More sedentary lifestyles, fatty and sugary diets and lack of exercise have led to an epidemic of obesity
Breast, bowel and liver cancers al result from obesity
Too much body fat causes levels of insulin to rise, causing cells to divide at a faster rate, raising the chance that they’ll become cancerous + increases risk of type 2 diabetes as body cells lose responsiveness to insulin
Inflammation - more fat cells - immune cells swarm to area to remove dead and dying fat cells - release chemicals which increase rate of cell division - increasing risk of cancer developing
Sex hormones - after menopause, oestrogen made by fat cells makes cells divide faster in breasts and wombs
How does smoking influence the prevalence of cancer in the UK?
Accounts for 1 in 4 cancer deaths and nearly 1 in 5 of all cancer cases in the UK
Mainly causes lung cancer, but also throat, oesophageal, bladder cancer
Causes more than 4 in 5 cases of lung cancer - lung cancer survival rates lowest of all cancers
Damage DNA including a key gene that prevents cancer
Ciggies also damage pathways for DNA repair, increasing likelihood that damaged cells will become cancerous
Less support for lung cancer as considered self-inflicted
Highest rates in North East of England
How does air pollution and radon gas influence cancer incidence in the UK?
Fumes from vehicles and industrial buildings
Caused 3500 cases in 2011
PMM2.5 responsible for 7.8% lung cancer cases in the UK
UK has pollutants within EU limits and relatively low air pollution levels
Second hand smoke within homes
How has lifestyle influenced cancer prevalence in the UK?
More wealth - changes in diet - referance for meat and dairy products, fast food, pre-packed ready meals - linked to increased incidence in bowel cancers
More alcohol consumption - oral, oesophageal and liver cancers
Cultural factors - sun beds and sun bathing - cultural preference for tanned look - evident risks for skin cancer and melanoma - sunbathing opportunities increased in last 50 years, e.g. easier to go abroad to countries on holiday
3400 cancers a year could be prevented by keeping active - lowers insulin and reduces oestrogen levels - helps food move through digestive system, reducing risk of bowel cancers
What are the patterns of cancer in the UK?
More common in impoverished areas, e.g. North of England
Due to limited food budgets and choices, which can lead to very unhealthy diets
- often high fat foods dense with energy - sugars, cereals, potatoes, processed meats - more affordable and last longer than fresh veg, lean meat, fish etc.
- disadvantaged neighbourhoods where healthy foods are harder to find
Disproportionate number of fast food chains and small stores providing cheap high fat foods
Economic insecurity leads to stress - people often eat high fat, high sugar foods as a coping mechanism
Fewer options for physical activity - cannot afford gym memberships, for children to do out of school sports and activities, unsafe parks or parks unavailable
Obesity leads to cancer
Due to high smoking rates and high alcohol abuse in poverty-stricken places. Abuse of drugs and other substances also increases cancer risks. Low self-esteem and personal control - deal with daily problems, mental illness and psychological factors, as well as being entrenched in their lifestyle
19% of people with income under £10,000 smoke
Only 10% with income over £40,000
What are the socio economic impacts?
Average cost to cancer patients is around £570 a month - includes loss of income, costs of medical appointments and prescriptions
Social and psychological costs - social isolation, anxiety resulting from loss of income, mental health problems - and for family and people close to person
Survival rates affected by socio-economic status - more affluent have better survival rates than more deprived - pre-existing health status, speed of diagnosis
Deprivation increases likelihood of smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity - cancer rates in poorest areas 3x greater than in most affluent
Lung cancer - greatest economic cost - £1.2 billion a year
66 million annual working hours lost due to cancer - estimated costs of £500 million
Often cared for by unpaid workers - £2.6 billion
What are the direct (diagnosis and treatment) mitigation strategies?
Investment in advanced medical technology, e.g. radiotherapy and diagnostic methods
Mass screening for breast and cervical cancer - has proved highly effective
HPV vaccination
Age ban on cigarettes and alcohol
Funding for cancer research
Smoking bans in public places (second hand smoke)
Sugar tax on drinks (preventing obesity)
Drug trials and experimental work on new drugs
Research into risk factors
Better surgical techniques, e.g. in breast cancer treatment
Offputting cigarette packet stuff
What are the indirect (lifestyle changes) strategies?
Emphasise changes in lifestyle and cancer prevention
Education and health campaigns
Informing public on dangers of smoking, excessive drinking, unbalanced diets + link to cancers
Techniques to put people off smoking (e.g. brown-green packets with graphic images)
Educating public how to check for breast and testicular cancers
How could mitigation be improved?
Reducing waiting times between diagnosis and treatment
More support to GPs in referrals to consultants
Improving understanding of the disease and how it is caused/prevented
Developing new treatments
Discovering new drugs
Exploiting potential of genetic engineering
