Cancer Support Flashcards
Describe the interplay of genetics, epigenetics, and the environment in cancer development.
Cancers result from the interplay of genetics, epigenetics, and the environment.
Mitochondrial failure, triggered by factors like oxygen/nutrient deprivation, toxins, and stress. These lead to cellular defects and mutations, i.e. Tumour Protein p53 gene, contributing to the complexity of cancer causation.
Explain the cellular characteristics associated with cancer, emphasizing the alterations in cell function.
Cancer cells - altered function, including self-sufficiency in growth signals, insensitivity to anti-growth signals, limitless replicative potential, evasion of apoptosis, sustained angiogenesis, and the ability to invade and metastasize.
These traits result from mitochondrial damage, increased DNA damage, altered cell cycle activity, and the activation of oncogenes, leading to genomic instability.
Define apoptosis and its role in cancer cells.
Apoptosis is programmed cell death. Cancer cells often evade apoptosis, allowing them to persist and proliferate.
Outline the stages of cancer and common terminology used in cancer staging.
Cancer staging is based on tumor size, location, and spread.
Stages include:
Stage I: Local tissue involvement.
Stage II: Spread to surrounding tissues and nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III: Metastasis to distant lymph nodes.
Stage IV: Spread to distant organs or other parts of the body.
Common terms include:
In situ (abnormal cells in the layer of origin),
Localized (limited to the organ of origin), Regional (spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues)
Distant (spread to distant tissues or organs).
Explain the activation of oncogenes, including mutations and epigenetic modifications.
Oncogenes, coding for cancer cell behaviors, become active through mutations, making them constitutively active (may be inherited), or epigenetic modifications, causing normally silenced genes to become active (usually due to loss of methylation marks).
Discuss the role of environmental and chemical carcinogenesis, including the impact of continuous exposure to carcinogenic or mutagenic chemicals.
For solid tumors, there can be a lengthy gap between exposure and clinical detection.
The Western diet
What are the primary goals of a natural approach to cancer, and what are the secondary goals?
Primary Goals:
Support tumoricidal effects of allopathic treatment.
Reduce side effects of allopathic treatments.
Support overall wellness.
Secondary Goals:
Support immunity.
Reduce tumor-promoting factors.
Inhibit metastasis and tumor progression.
Promote appropriate apoptosis.
List dietary carcinogens associated with cancer initiation, specifying sources for each.
Aflatoxins (mouldy food).
Heterocyclic amines (high-temperature cooked meat).
N-nitroso compounds (spoiled foods, cured meat).
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) (cooked/smoked foods, dark beer).
Explain how excess and damaged fat, excess protein, and excess omega-6 contribute to cancer progression.
Excess & damaged fat create lipid peroxides and oxygen radicals, damaging DNA.
Excess protein increases IGF-1, promoting further cancer cell growth.
Excess omega-6 promotes inflammation, supporting cancer growth.
Discuss the association between red meat consumption and cancer, highlighting specific carcinogenic compounds.
Heterocyclic amines produced during meat cooking are carcinogenic.
Charcoal cooking and smoke curing of meat produce harmful carbon compounds.
Explain the impact of dietary factors like saturated fats, trans fats, refined sugars, and table salt on cancer risk.
Saturated fats and trans fats are linked to cancer.
High sugar intake may raise pancreatic cancer risk.
Table salt, lacking essential trace minerals, is linked to various cancers.
Discuss the concerns associated with aspartame and its potential impact on cancer. Suggest healthier alternatives.
Aspartame in high levels is detected in brain tumors.
Metabolism converts aspartame to methanol and formaldehyde, causing potential harm.
Healthier alternatives: Stevia, xylitol.
Explain the impact of alcohol consumption on cancer risk, citing specific types of cancers affected.
Alcohol is a Group A carcinogen.
It independently increases the risk of various cancers, including upper digestive tract, liver, breast, and colon.
Provide evidence linking obesity to an increased risk of specific cancers and discuss possible mechanisms.
Convincing evidence links obesity to cancers like colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, kidney, esophageal, ovarian, lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, pancreas, and esophagus.
Possible mechanisms:
1. Changes in hormone metabolism
2. elevated estrogen levels
3. oxidative DNA damage
4. altered insulin metabolism
5. immune system suppression.
According to the WCRF, what role do food and drink carcinogens play in diet-related cancer risk?
The diet’s primary influence on cancer risk is through mechanisms that inhibit cancer development.
Various food components can influence neoplastic cell proliferation and apoptosis.
The absence of essential macro and micronutrients can affect cancer cell development.
How do phytochemicals and compounds like vitamin C contribute to cancer prevention?
Blocking the metabolic activation of a procarcinogen, inhibiting the formation of a carcinogen from precursor substances.
Increasing metabolic detoxification of carcinogens.
Preventing carcinogens from interacting with DNA and RNA.
How many different bioactive components are present in the foods consumed by humans, and what are the sources of these components?
25,000 different bioactive components occur in the foods consumed by human beings.
Sources: plants (phytochemicals), animal sources (zoochemicals), mushrooms (fungochemicals), and the metabolism of food chemicals by bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract (bacterochemicals).
What is the significance of the Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio in the context of inflammation, and how has it changed in modern times compared to human evolution?
Human evolution featured a much lower ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3, ideally around 3-1:1.
In modern times, this ratio has increased to 15:1, impacting optimal conversion to EPA and DHA.
How effective is a low-fat vegan diet in reducing inflammation, and what evidence supports this claim?
A low-fat vegan diet is almost as effective as drugs in reducing inflammation marker C-reactive protein.
After 4 weeks, a vegan diet full of fruits and vegetables reduces inflammation 3x more effectively than a control diet based on the food pyramid.
How does a high-fibre diet contribute to cancer prevention, and what is the recommended daily intake for this purpose?
Diets high in fibre are protective against several types of cancer, including colorectal, stomach, ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancers.
The recommended daily intake for cancer prevention: 30-35g min per day.
What role do phytonutrients, specifically flavonoids, play in cancer prevention, and which vegetables and fruits are rich in these compounds?
Low blood levels of carotenoids are linked to a doubled risk of breast cancer.
High carotenoid intake significantly reduces the risk of colon cancer.
Regular tomato consumption is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer.
Vegetables such as:
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and fruits like grapes, citrus, apples, and pears - are rich in flavonoids, acting as potent carcinogen detoxifiers and inducers of detoxification enzymes.
Name some other substances found in fruits and vegetables that have anti-cancer properties and mention their respective functions.
Sulphur compounds in garlic inhibit tumor growth and cancer formation.
Folate, found in fruits and vegetables, provides DNA protection.
Beta-sitosterol, present in fruits and vegetables, inhibits tumor growth.
Briefly describe the Gerson therapy and its core principles in cancer treatment.
The Gerson therapy combines vigorous detoxification with nutrition aimed at restoring the body’s natural immunity and healing power.
Core principles:
1. Organically grown fresh fruits/veg
2. 13 glasses of freshly squeezed juices daily
3. Self-administered coffee enemas to stimulate the liver and enhance detoxification.
What is the Budwig Diet, and how does it relate to cancer protection?
The Budwig Diet focuses on maintaining cell membrane health, promoting oxygen transport into cells, and preventing faulty cell growth.
Key components:
Flaxseed oil and quark or cottage cheese, with a recommended ratio of 1 tbsp flax oil to ¼ cup of cottage cheese daily.
Dr. Budwig believed cancer resulted from insufficient essential fatty acids in cell membranes and an accumulation of harmful man-made fats.
How does the choice between organic and conventional farming impact the nutritional content of fruits and vegetables in the context of cancer prevention?
Organic fruits and vegetables are richer in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared to conventional farming.
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in conventional farming reduce the production of cancer-fighting flavonoids in plants.
Pesticide residues disrupt enzymatic activity and have toxic, carcinogenic effects.
In cancer support: Discuss the healing properties of 6-gingerol and its food source
6-gingerol: Found in ginger.
Healing Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-nausea effects.
It may contribute to reducing muscle pain and soreness.
Cancer support: Explain the significance of beta-carotene, its food source, and its potential health benefits.
Beta-carotene: Found in carrots.
Significance: A precursor to vitamin A, essential for vision, immune function, and skin health.
Health Benefits: Antioxidant, supporting overall immune function and reducing oxidative stress.
Cancer Support: Discuss the health benefits associated with lycopene and its primary food source.
Lycopene: Found in tomatoes.
Health Benefits: Known for its antioxidant properties, lycopene is linked to reducing the risk of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer.
Cancer Support: Explain the healing properties of resveratrol and mention foods rich in this compound.
Resveratrol: Found in red grapes, peanuts, and berries.
Healing Properties: Exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It may contribute to heart health and longevity.
