Chapter 1: Cancer & Nutrition Significance & Background

Question 1

Cancer Definition

Answer 1

Group of neoplastic diseases characterized by uncontrollable growth and spread of abnormal cells (if left untreated will result in death)

Question 2

How many different types of cancer are there?

Answer 2

More than 100

Question 3

Estimated number of new cancer cases in 2013

Answer 3

1.6 million

Question 4

Lifetime risk of developing cancer

Answer 4

Men: 1 in 2
Women: little more than 1 in 3

Question 5

Which racial/ethnicity groups have the highest cancer incidence rates?

Answer 5

Whites & African Americans

Question 6

Five Most Common Types of Cancer

Answer 6

MEN: Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, Urinary Bladder, and Melanoma Skin Cancers

WOMEN: Breast, Lung, Colorectal, Uterine, Thyroid Cancers

Question 7

Cancer Incidence Rates

Answer 7

Increased from 1975 to 1989
Stable from 1989 to 1999
Significantly declined since 1999

Question 8

Five-Year Survival Rates

Answer 8

Improved from 49% for cancers diagnosed between 1975-1977 to 67% in 2007

Question 9

What is Early Cancer Detection?

Answer 9

Refers to identifying tumors before they become palpable. Active area of cancer research with potential to significantly decrease cancer morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Significant decrease in deaths from certain cancers (breast & colorectal) over last decade are attributed to increase in use of screening tests and improvement in treatment.

Question 10

What is the most widely used tumor staging tool?

Answer 10

The Tumor, lymph nodes, and Metastasis (TNM) classification system
T- size and or extent of tumor
N- extent of spread to local lymph nodes
M- presence of distant metastasis

Question 11

Carcinogenesis

Answer 11

Normal cells transform into cancer cells, usually as a result of accumulating genetic damage

Question 12

Cancer Prevention & Nutrition

Answer 12

1/3 cancer deaths are smoking-related.

1/3 related to obesity or overweight, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition.

Question 13

Antioxidants

Answer 13

Vitamins C and E, may protect DNA from oxidative damage

Question 14

Folate

Answer 14

Plays an important role in DNA synthesis and DNA repair.

Question 15

Selenium

Answer 15

Shown to play a number of roles in DNA protection and repair, including protection from DNA damage, support of DNA repair, and induction of cell cycle arrest

Question 16

Soy isoflavones

Answer 16

Phytoestrogens, have hormonal effects and alter hormonal regulation

Question 17

Curcumin

Answer 17

polyphenol in turmeric, shown to induce apoptosis and inhibit angiogenesis, which is formation of blood supply to growing tumor.

Question 18

Indole-3-carbinol

Answer 18

Bioactive compound found in cruciferous vegetables, shown to influence estrogen regulation, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis, and suppress inflammatory responses

Question 19

Sulforaphone

Answer 19

Bioactive compound found in cruciferous vegetables, may inhibit carcinogen formation and induce apoptosis

Question 20

Allyl sulfur

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Types of Cancer Treatment

Answer 21

Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, targeted therapy, transplantation, or a combination of these modalities

Question 22

Nutrition intervention during cancer treatment is associated with…

Answer 22

fewer side effects, fewer hospitalizations, better quality of life