L02-Cancer and Environmental Factors Flashcards
1
Q
What three ways can you assess the risk of a carcinogen?
A
Potency - small amounts mean very potent
Type of exposure - potential of a given amount to cause cancer
Dose response - what happens to risk as level of exposure increases.
2
Q
How does red meat cause colorectal cancer?
A
Free iron from the meat produces lots of free radicals. They damage the DNA leading to cancer mutations.
3
Q
How does obesity increase the risk of cancer?
A
Obesity causes increased hormones such is IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor), insulin and leptin. These are growth promotors of cancer cells. Insulin resistance caused by obesity also increases risk of colorectal cancer.
