Ch 13 Cancer Epidemiology Flashcards
Which characteristic among women correlates with a high morbidity of cancer of the
colon, uterus, and kidney?
a. Women older than 45 years of age
b. Women who have never had children
c. Women who have a high body mass index D. Woman who have smoked for more
than 10 years
ANS: C
A recent hypothesis states that the observed increased incidence of such cancers as breast,
endometrium, colon, liver, kidney, and adenomas of the esophagus may be associated with
obesity. No current research supports the remaining options.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 417-418 | Figure 13-11
Which substance has been shown to increase the risk of cancer when used in combination with tobacco smoking? a. Alcohol c. Antihistamines b. Steroids d. Antidepressants
ANS: A
Alcohol interacts with smoke, increasing the risk of malignant tumors, possibly by acting
as a solvent for the carcinogenic chemicals in smoke products. No current research
supports the remaining options as having an increased effect on the incidence of cancer
when used in combination with tobacco smoking.
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Which cancers pose the highest risk for radiologists?
a. Thyroid
c. Leukemia
b. Breast
d. Brain
ANS: C
Ionizing radiation exposure places radiologists at risk for the development of leukemia,
lymphoma, and skin cancers.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 424 | Table 13-8
Research has shown a link between cancer and which sexually transmitted disease?
a. Syphilis
c. Human papillomavirus
b. Gonorrhea
d. Pelvic inflammatory disease
ANS: C
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the
United States. High-risk, or oncogenic, HPVs can cause cancer. A persistence of infection
with high-risk HPV is a prerequisite for the development of cervical intraepithelial
neoplasia (CIN) lesions and invasive cervical cancers. No research supports such a link
between the remaining options and cancer.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 423-424
Research has supported that alcohol consumption has a convincing impact on increasing the risk of which cancer? a. Lung c. Pharynx b. Breast d. Pancreas
ANS: C
Research had shown that alcohol consumption has a convincing positive impact on the risk
of developing pharynx cancer. No research supports such a connection with the remaining
options.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 422 | Table 13-5
Research supports the premise that exercise has a probable impact on reducing the risk of which cancer? a. Liver c. Stomach b. Endometrial d. Colon
ANS: D
The World Cancer Research Fund summarizes the effects as convincing for cancers of the
colon and probable for postmenopausal breast cancer and endometrial cancer. The
relationship is not supported for the remaining options.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 422 | Table 13-6
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines grade 1 (overweight) as a BMI of:
a. 18.5 to 24.9
c. 30 to 39.9
b. 25 to 29.9
d. 40 to 50.9
ANS: B
A BMI of 25 to 29.9 kg/m2 is considered a grade 1 (overweight) classification. A BMI of
18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2 is considered normal range, whereas 30 to 39.9 kg/m2 is a grade 2
(severe overweight) classification, and a BMI higher than 40 kg/m2 is considered grade 3
(morbidly overweight).
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. Tobacco smoking is associated with which cancers? (Select all that apply)
a. Lung
b. Skin
c. Bladder
d. Kidney
e. Pancreas
ANS: A, C, D, E
Besides lung cancer, tobacco increases the risk for cancers of the mouth, lips, nasal cavity
and sinuses, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterus,
cervix, colon and rectum, ovary, and acute leukemia. No current research links tobacco
smoking to skin cancer.
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The significant risk factors associated with the development of basal cell carcinoma
include: (Select all that apply.)
a. Light-colored hair
b. Pale eyes
c. Fair skin
d. Freckles
e. History of acne
ANS: A, B, C, D
Risk factors associated with a high risk of melanoma include light-colored hair, eyes, and
skin; an inability to tan; and a tendency to freckle, sunburn, and develop nevi. No current
research supports acne as a risk factor.
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Which environmental factors have been shown to have greatest significant effect on the
frequency of genetic mutations in humans? (Select all that apply.)
a. Tobacco use
b. Radiation exposure
c. Obesity
d. Severe allergies
e. Stressful occupation
ANS: A, B, C
The number of environmental factors can alter the frequency and consequences of genetic
mutations. The most significant factors include smoking, radiation, obesity, and a few
oncogenic viruses. Allergies and stress have not been strongly linked as risk factors for
genetic mutations.
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Research data support the relationship between the exposure of ultraviolet light (UVL) and
the development of: (Select all that apply.)
a. Basal cell carcinoma
b. Squamous cell carcinoma
c. Hodgkin lymphoma
d. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
e. Soft-tissue sarcoma
ANS: A, B
Exposure to UVL can cause basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. No
current research supports a causative relationship between the remaining options and UVL
exposure.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 431
Alcohol consumption has been proven to be a consistent risk factor in the development of
which major cancer? (Select all that apply.)
a. Colorectal
b. Kidney
c. Breast
d. Esophageal
e. Pancreatic
ANS: A, C, D
Research supports a consistent link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk for
breast, colorectal, and esophageal cancers; no such data have yet been determined for the
remaining options.
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Nutritional counseling regarding cancer stem cell repopulation must stress the importance
of including sufficient quantities of what in a daily diet? (Select all that apply.)
a. Vitamin A
b. Vitamin D
c. Protein
d. Vitamin C
e. Water
ANS: A, B
Cancer stem cells use several developmental mechanisms for the self-renewal, and these
mechanisms appear to be fundamental to the initiation and recurrence of tumors. Adequate
consumption of specific food compounds, including vitamin A and D, genistein, green tea
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), sulforaphane, theanine, curcumin, and choline may
suppress cancer stem renewal. No current research supports such a connection with the
other options.
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Which personal lifestyle choices will likely have a positive impact on reducing an
individual’s risk for developing cancer? (Select all that apply.)
a. Avoiding crowds
b. Wearing a hat while golfing
c. Eating a strict vegetarian diet
d. Having regular health screenings
e. Staying indoors during smog alerts
ANS: B, E
Avoiding exposure to ultraviolet radiation and air pollutants will help decrease the risk of
developing skin and lung cancer. Although avoiding crowds may reduce the risk of
contracting infections, no research suggests such a decision will reduce the risk of cancer.
Eating a vegetarian diet will reduce the consumption of red meat, but no research suggests
that such a diet is a factor in reducing the risk of cancer. Health screening, although
important, can detect the possible presence of a specific disease, but it does not prevent
diseases.
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Which individual is at risk for developing lung and respiratory tract cancers because of
exposure to known cancer-inducing environmental factors? (Select all that apply.)
a. A patient whose partner smokes 1 1/2 packs of cigarettes a day
b. A 10-year employee of an asbestos fiber manufacturer
c. A farmer whose equipment is primarily driven by diesel engines
d. An older adult with a family history of lung cancer and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)
e. A 10-year delivery employee for a paper manufacturing company
ANS: A, B, C, E
Numerous environmental factors can cause inflammation and include, for example,
inhaling tobacco smoke, asbestos fibers, or fine particles in the air from diesel engine
exhaust and industrial sources. Sulfur dioxide is produced by power plants burning oil and
coal, copper smelting, and paper mills. These sources are major factors in lung and other
respiratory tract cancers. A family history is not considered a risk factor since these
cancers are generally affected by environmental rather than genetic factors.
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