Chapter 8 Flashcards
cancer
abnormal, uncontrolled cellular multiplication that can ultimately cause death
tumours (neoplasm)
a mass of tissue that serves no physiological purpose
benign tumour
a mass of tissue that is non-cancerous
- similar to surrounding cells
- only dangerous they interfere with body functions (ie. blocks blood supply to the brain)
malignant tumour
a mass of tissue that is cancerous and capable of spreading
- can invade surrounding structures including blood vessels, lymphatic system and nerves
lymphatic system
a network of vessels that returns proteins, lipids and other substances from fluid in the tissues to the circulatory system
how does a tumour usually develop?
- starts as a single change in a cell that allows it to grow and divide when it shouldn’t
- takes about a billion cell divides to create a tumour the size of a pea so must divide for years to see a noticeable change
what is the tumour development series?
- genetically altered cell: mutation in one cell
- hyperplasia: cells continue to look normal but divide uncontrollably
- dysplasia: reproduce too often and the cells start to look abnormal
- in situ cancer: still become more abnormal and the tumour has broken any boundaries yet
- invasive cancer: tumour hasb broken boundaries and now it is considered malignant
biopsy
the removal and examination of a small piece of body tissue; a needle biopsy uses a needle to remove a small sample, but some biopsies require surgery
primary tumour
Cancer’s original location
metastasis - what is it and why does it happen?
the spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another
- cancer cells do not stick together as strongly as normal cells so they can break apart and recruit healthy cells
Secondary tumour (metastases)
new tumours other than the primary tumour
what happens if the cancer cells enter the lymphatic system or the bloodstream?
- it is extremely difficult to stop the spread their spread to other organs
what is one principal method for predicting the outcome of cancer?
counting the lymph nodes that contain cancer
staging
a method of classifying the progress or extent of cancer in a person (5 stages)
Stage 0
early cancer, present only in the layers of cells where it originated
Stage I,II,III
more extensive cancer, with higher numbers indicating great tumour size and/or the degree to which cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or organ s adjacent to the primary tumour
Stage IV
advanced cancer that has spread to other body parts
Types of cancer: Carcinomas
- arise from epithelia, tissues that cover external body surfaces, line internal tubes and cavities and form the secreting portion of glands
- ie. breast, skin, uterus, prostate, lungs
- most common type of cancer
Types of cancer: sarcomas
- arise from connective and fibrous tissues
- ie. muscle, bone, cartilage and membranes covering muscles and fat
Types of cancer: lymphomas
- cancers of the lymph nodes
- ie. part of the body that fights infections
Types of cancer: leukaemia
- cancers of blood-forming cells
- ie. bone marrow
Lung cancer - what are the risk factors and what is the detection and treatment process and what is “unique” about it? and symptoms
- most common cause of cancer death in Canada
- Risk factors: tobacco smoke, asbestos, certain pollutants (any combo of these)
- detection: hard to detect in early state and harder to treat in early state
- Symptoms: chest pain, coughing reoccurring bronchitis (usually only appear in invasive state
- treatment: CT scan, chest x-ray, chemotherapy and most enter remission
Chemotherapy
the treatment of cancer with chemicals that selectively destroy cancerous cells
remission
a period during the course of cancer in which there are no symptoms or other evidence of disease
colon and rectal cancer - risk factors, symptoms, detection and treatment (colorectal cancer)
- third most common cancer in canada
- Risk factors: age, hereditary, type 2 diabetes and colon inflammation increase the risk, preexisting polyps, lifestyle
- symptoms: bleeding of the rectum and a change in bowel habits
- detection: regular screen after the age 50, stool blood test
- treatment: surgery, chemo, radiation, monoclonal antibodies
polyps
small, usually harmless, masses of tissue that project from the inner surface of a mucous membrane, such as the colon or rectum
Breast cancer - risk factors, early detection, treatment, symptoms
- most common cancer in women
- risk factors: genetics, early onset menstruation, late menopause, having first child after 30, obesity and alcohol use
- -> increased levels of estrogen levels which increase breast cancer risk
- early detection: mammogram, ultrasound, clinical breast exam, breast awareness
- Symptoms: lumps, swelling, thickening, skin irritation, nipple pain
- treatment: ultrasonography to see if its cancerous, removal of lump, removal of breast, chemo and radiation
mammogram
low dose X-ray of the breasts used to check for early signs of breast cancer
lumpectomy
removal of lump and surrounding tissue
mastectomy
removal of breast
prostate cancer - risk factors, symptoms, detection and treatment
- most common cancer in men and the third leading cause of death in men
- risk factors: age, inherited genes, lifestyle, type 2 diabetes
- symptoms: changes in urinary frequency, weak or interrupted urine flow, painful or blood in urination
detection: prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, ultrasound - treatment: radical prostatectomy (results in erectile dysfunction or inability to control urine), radioactive seeds
radical prostatectomy
removal of the prostate
incontinence
the inability to control the flow of urine
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test
diagnostic test for prostate cancer that measures blood levels of PSA
cervical dysplasia
condition where the cells are abnormal but not yet cancerous
pap test
a scraping of the cells from the cervix for examination under a microscope to detect cancer
Skin cancer - risk factors, detection, treatment and symptoms
- most common cancer (including cures)
- risk factors: excessive exposure to UV radiation, sunlamps, tanning beds, severe sunburns in childhood, many moles
- prevention: avoid longterm exposure to sunlight, tanning beds
- Detection: early detection
- treatment: surgery
melanoma
a malignant tumour of the skin that arises from pigmented cells, usually a mole
what are the 3 types of skin cancer?
- basal cell carcinoma: cancer of the deepest layers of the skin
- squamous cell carcinoma: cancer of surface layers of the skin
- melanoma
characteristics of melanoma
- asymmetry
- border irregularity
- colour change, diameter greater than 0.5cm
the causes of cancer: the role DNA
- heredity and genetics, a person may have predisposed genes to certain cancers
- mutations in DNA may cause cancers
- mutational damages occur after birth (can be inherited tho)
- cancer promoters: accelerate the growth of cells without damaging the DNA (ie. estrogen)
mutagens
environmental factors that can cause mutations, such as radiation, and atmospheric chemicals
oncogenes
genes involved in the transformation of normal cells into a cancer cell
tumour suppressor genes
a type of oncogene that normally functions to restrain cellular growth
the causes of cancer: tobacco use
- known to cause many other type of cancers other than lung
- 85% of lung cancer
- 30% of other cancers
the causes of cancer: dietary factors -which ones need to be reduced and which ones need to be increased
- either support or detract from their abilities to help protect us from cancer
Reduce: dietary fat and red meat, refined sugar, alcohol and fried foods
Increase: fibre and fruit/vegetables (contain anticarcinogens & carotenoids)
anticarcinogens
agents that destroy or otherwise block the action of carcinogens
carotenoids
any group of yellow-to-red plant pigments that can be converted into Vitamin A by the liver (many act as anti-oxidants or have other anti-cancer effects)
phytochemicals
substances in plants that help protect against chronic disease
- ie. sulphoraphane a potent anticarcinogen found in broccoli
the causes of cancer: inactivity and obesity
- linked with increased risk of several kinds cancer (breast and colon)
the causes of cancer: carcinogens in the environment
- some are made naturally (viruses, sun’s UV rays) and other are synthetic substances
Microbes:
viruses seem to be the main cancer causers
Ingested Chemicals:
nitrites and nitrates are dangerous (inhibit the growth of bacteria)
Environmental and Industrial Pollution: - pollutants can cause lung cancer
Radiation:
medical screening equipment and UV radiation
Detecting Cancer - caution
- C.A.U.T.I.O.N C = change in bowel or bladder habits A = a sore that doesn't heal U = unusual bleeding or discharge T = thickening or lump in the breasts or elsewhere I = indigestion or difficulty in swallowing O = obvious change in a wart or mole N = a nagging cough or hoarseness
Diagnosis Cancer
- physical examination, medical screening equipment (CT, MRI, X-rays)
Treating Cancer: surgery
- most useful treatment
- less effective when a tumour involves cells of the immune system, or when we metastasized
Treating Cancer: chemotherapy
- used in combination with surgery
- induction chemotherapy: starting chemotherapy before therapy both to shrink a tumour and to kill any existing small metastasis
Treating Cancer: radiation
- X-rays or gamma is directed at a tumour and tumour cells are killed
- radioactive seeds
- destroys both cancerous and non-cancerous
Treating Cancer: New and experimental techniques
gene therapy: manipulation of gene expression in human cells; offers a potential treatment or cure for cancer by turning off the genes responsible for causing cells to divide rapidly and become malignant
stem cells
unspecialized cells that can divide and produce cells that differentiate into many different types of specialized cells in the body
preventing cancer
- avoid tobacco
- control diet and weight
- exercise
- protect your skin
- avoid environmental and occupational carcinogens
what is the goal of Team Shan
- increase early detection of breast cancer in young women
- improve outcomes for young woment diagnosed with breast cancer
what is the OPHS need? (team shan)
bring awareness to cancer for young adults (15-39yrs)
Missed - Video
- more than 140 organizations work through the LIVESTRONG organization in order to bring awareness to young adult cancer
- prognosis of cancer in young adults hasn’t improved for 25yrs
what is the psychosocial aspect of being diagnosed?what do they feel
lonely
what are some current Canadian stats about cancer - how many diagnosed each yr? what percentage out of women? how many young women? how many are from Ontario?
- 8,300 people diagnosed/yr
- 1 out of 8 women will experience cancer in their lifetime
- 1,200 young women diagnosed with breast cancer each year (400 of those in Ontario)
what did the 2007 North American Report suggest
cancer in young adults was sporadic and they still dont know what causes them to get cancer so young (environmental factors just being looked at now) - environmental factors or genetics
what did the 2009 candian cancer society suggest?
young adults (15-39) need to be aware, seek medical attention when normal to you isnt normal anymore
what is the main cause of death amoung young female adults and what percentage is due to breast cancer
- cancer
- 2/3 (most common)
what are some risk factors for breast, testicular and skin cancer?
lumps in neck, breast, abdomen, testicle and abnormal, pigmented skin lesions
team shan: what are some of the delays in diagnoses
- delays attributed to either patients or physicians inaction
- physicians reluctance to make diagnoses(ie. assumed they were too young for the disease)
what is metastatic breast cancer
stage 4 cancer and that’s increasing
what are some known facts about the type of cancer that appears in young women
- aggressive
- random
- doesn’t always start as a bump
- most lumps in the breast are not cancer
what are some uncontrollable risk factors of breast cancer?
- female
- genetics
- increased age
- born in NA or Northern Europe
- African heritage
- early menstruation (earlier than 12yrs)
- exposed to radiation
what are some controllable risk factors of breast cancer
- poor diet/unhealthy weight
- physical inactivity
- tobacco use/ 2nd hand smoke
- alcohol misuse
- oral contraceptive
- delayed childbirth/ not breastfeeding
common breast cancer symptoms that are persistent and unexplained
- pain
- lump, bump or swelling
- significant weight loss
- extreme tiredness
- changes in a mole
- breast thickening
- nipple changes
- nipple discharge
how to lower your risk of breast cancer
- breast aware
- eat well
- live smoke-free
- get active
- healthy lifestyle
- maintain a healthy weight
- avoid 2nd smoke
- limit alcohol use
what is the purpose of team shan?
- educate the public, healthcare professionals, and young women about early detection, risk reduction and prevention of breast cancer
what is the leading cause of death - tobbaco?
cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada accounts for 1/4 deaths
Tobacco is responsible for 25% for cancer deaths “greatest avoidable risk factor”
lung cancer is most common cause of cancer death
what is the most common type Of cancer
carcinoma
