Chapter 1: Cancer and Nutrition

Question 1

Cancer Definition

Answer 1

group of neoplastic diseases characterized by uncontrollable growth and spread of abnormal cells

Question 2

5 most common cancers in US for men

Answer 2

prostate, lung, colorectal, urinary, bladder, and melanoma

Question 3

5 most common cancer in US for women

Answer 3

breast, lung, colorectal, uterine, and thyroid

Question 4

TNM grading

Answer 4

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)

Question 5

Carcinogenesis definition

Answer 5

The process by which normal cells transform into cancer cells, usually as a result of accumulating genetic damage

Question 6

Nutrients that aid in DNA synthesis and repair

Answer 6

Antioxidants (ACE), folate, and selenium

Question 7

Curcumin and cancer

Answer 7

Shown to induce apoptosis and inhibit angiogenesis (the formation of blood supply to the growing tumor)

Question 8

Indole-3-carbinol and cancer

Answer 8

Found in cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to influence estrogen regulation, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis, and suppress the inflammatory response

Question 9

Sulforaphane and cancer

Answer 9

Found in cruciferous vegetable may inhibit carcinogen formation, and induce apoptosis

Question 10

Allyl sulfur and cancer

Answer 10

Found in garlic, may block the formation and activation of carcinogens, enhance DNA repair, reduce cell proliferation, and/or induce apoptosis

Question 11

Types of screening tests

Answer 11

Physical examination
Blood tests
Imaging procedures
Molecular tests

Question 12

How can normal cells develop genetic damage?

Answer 12

Radiation, chemicals, and viruses

Question 13

Internal factors that cause cancer

Answer 13

Genetics, hormones, immune system

Question 14

External factors that cause cancer

Answer 14

infections, environmental toxins, and behaviors (smoking sun exposure, and unhealthy diet)

Question 15

Nuclear Grading system

Answer 15

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)

Question 16

Risk of developing cancer for men and women

Answer 16

1 in 2 men

a little more than 1 in 3 women

Question 17

What is early cancer detection?

Answer 17

Identifying tumors before they become palpable

Question 18

What is the most common screening test?

Answer 18

Physical examination- palpation

Question 19

Example of blood tests

Answer 19

circulating tumor cell metabolites such as prostate-specific antigen testing

Question 20

Examples of imaging procedures

Answer 20

mammograms and colonoscopies

Question 21

What are molecular tests?

Answer 21

Genotyping or gene expression assays, look for a certain genetic mutation that are linked to some types of cancer

Question 22

Cancer treatments

Answer 22

Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, targeted therapy, transplantation

Question 23

“Normal” cells most commonly affected by chemotherapy

Answer 23

Blood cells, GI (mouth, stomach, and bowel), and hair follicles

Question 24

Most common nutrition-related side effects of chemotherapy

Answer 24

Low blood counts, mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea, and hair loss