Environmental Factors Flashcards
what ways may genetic errors occur?
inherited
viruses
exposure to chemicals/ radiation
where do you find cancer of the mouth?
tongue
buccal tissues
lips
salivary glands
gums
what type of mouth cancer accounts for 90% of cases?
squamous cell carcinoma
where do you find head and neck cancer?
throat
larynx
salivary glands
nose
nasal
sinuses
lips
skin
in the past 30 years what percentage increase has there been for oral cancer?
400%
are males or females most likely to get oral cancer?
males
what age group are most susceptible to oral cancer?
over 55
what are the risk factors for oral cancer?
tobacco
alcohol
poor diet
immunological defect
sunlight
previous cancer
genetic conditions
how much does risk increase with alcohol and tobacco?
24 times
what does alcohol and tobacco do to the oral mucosa?
thinning and atrophy making it more susceptible to carcinogens entering epithelial barrier
what are examples of chemicals in tobacco smoke?
carbon monoxide
arsenic
formaldehyde
cyanide
benzene
toluene
acrolein
acetaldehyde
how many years does it take after smoking to become a “non smoker”?
20
what are the cancer causing chemicals found in smoking?
tar
arsenic
polyacrylic aromatic hydrocarbons
nitrosamines
acrolein
hydrogen cyanide
CO
ammonia
what are cultural tobacco habits associated with increased risk?
betel nut
seed of the areca catechu
slaked line (calcium hydroxide)
spices
what continent has biggest prevalence of oral cancer?
Asia
What does betel nut contain that increases risk of oral cancer and why?
arecoline - alkaloid has been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis by 170%
tannis - increase resistance of collagen degradation
what are the effects of pan on the oral cavity?
increased scarring (bands of collagen in buccal mucosa)
trismus due to denseness in buccal mucosa, tongue and lips
how is alcohol carcinogenic?
when it is metabolised it becomes acetaldehyde which is a mutagen and carcinogen
where in the oral cavity is alcohol metabolised?
salivary glands
mucosa
oral bacteria
what enzyme breaks down ethanol to acetaldehyde?
alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)
What enzyme breaks down acetaldehyde to acetate?
aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)
What are the end products of oxidation of ethanol?
CO2 and H2O
What are the alcohol recommendations for women?
daily - 2 units
weekly - 14 units
at least 2 alcohol free days per week
what are the alcohol recommendations for men?
daily - 2 units
weekly - 14 units
at least 2 alcohol free days per week
how many units of alcohol is a binge for a woman?
6
how many units of alcohol is a binge for a male?
8
why is alcohol limit lower for females?
higher proportion of body fat and less water so concentration of alcohol in body water is higher
why do woman have higher blood alcohol levels?
lower gastric ADH activity
how much higher is blood alcohol level in women compared to men?
1/3rd higher
what nutrients does a poor diet lack?
vit c
vit e
antioxidants
zinc
beta-carotene
folate
how does folate affect oral cavity?
thin mucosa readily accessible for carcinogens
