Chapter 1: Cancer and Nutrition Flashcards
Cancer Definition
group of neoplastic diseases characterized by uncontrollable growth and spread of abnormal cells
5 most common cancers in US for men
prostate, lung, colorectal, urinary, bladder, and melanoma
5 most common cancer in US for women
breast, lung, colorectal, uterine, and thyroid
TNM grading
T-size and/or extent of the tumor (Tx, T0, Tis, T1-T4)
N- extent of spread top local lymph nodes (Nx, N0, N1,2,3)
M- the presence of distant metastasis (Mx, M0, M1)
Carcinogenesis definition
The process by which normal cells transform into cancer cells, usually as a result of accumulating genetic damage
Nutrients that aid in DNA synthesis and repair
Antioxidants (ACE), folate, and selenium
Curcumin and cancer
Shown to induce apoptosis and inhibit angiogenesis (the formation of blood supply to the growing tumor)
Indole-3-carbinol and cancer
Found in cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to influence estrogen regulation, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis, and suppress the inflammatory response
Sulforaphane and cancer
Found in cruciferous vegetable may inhibit carcinogen formation, and induce apoptosis
Allyl sulfur and cancer
Found in garlic, may block the formation and activation of carcinogens, enhance DNA repair, reduce cell proliferation, and/or induce apoptosis
Types of screening tests
Physical examination
Blood tests
Imaging procedures
Molecular tests
How can normal cells develop genetic damage?
Radiation, chemicals, and viruses
Internal factors that cause cancer
Genetics, hormones, immune system
External factors that cause cancer
infections, environmental toxins, and behaviors (smoking sun exposure, and unhealthy diet)
Nuclear Grading system
Refers to the size and shape of the nucleus in tumor cells, and the percentage of tumor cells that are actively dividing
Gx- grade cannot be assessed
G1- Well differentiated (low grade)
G2- Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
G3- Poorly differentiated (high-grade)
G4- undifferentiated (high grade)
Risk of developing cancer for men and women
1 in 2 men
a little more than 1 in 3 women
What is early cancer detection?
Identifying tumors before they become palpable
What is the most common screening test?
Physical examination- palpation
Example of blood tests
circulating tumor cell metabolites such as prostate-specific antigen testing
Examples of imaging procedures
mammograms and colonoscopies
What are molecular tests?
Genotyping or gene expression assays, look for a certain genetic mutation that are linked to some types of cancer
Cancer treatments
Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, targeted therapy, transplantation
“Normal” cells most commonly affected by chemotherapy
Blood cells, GI (mouth, stomach, and bowel), and hair follicles
Most common nutrition-related side effects of chemotherapy
Low blood counts, mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea, and hair loss
