WEEK ONE - SCREENING AND PREVENTION (Tiana)

Question 1

What are Tumor Markers?

Answer 1

• Enzymes present in or produced by cancer cells or other cells of the body in response to cancer or certain benign conditions

Question 2

Where are Tumor Markers found?

Answer 2

• In the blood or urine

Question 3

What kind of information will Tumor Markers provide?

Answer 3

• How aggressive
• What kind of tx it may respond to
• Whether or not it is already responding to tx

Question 4

Tumor Marker B-HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin, beta subunit) points to which kind(s) of cancer?

Answer 4

• Testicular cancer

Question 5

Tumor Marker Bence Jones Protein points to which kind(s) of cancer?

Answer 5

• Multiple Myeloma

Question 6

Tumor Marker AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) points to which kind(s) of cancer?

Answer 6

• Testicular cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Colon cancer
• Lung cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Liver cancer
  Etc….

Question 7

Tumor Marker CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) points to which kind(s) of cancer?

Answer 7

• Lung cancer
• GI cancer
• Breast cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

Question 8

Tumor Marker CA-125 points to which kind(s) of cancer?

Answer 8

• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colon cancer
• Lung cancer
• Liver cancer

Question 9

Tumor Marker CA-19-9 points to which kind(s) of cancer?

Answer 9

• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

Question 10

Tumor Marker CA-15-3 points to which kind(s) of cancer?

Answer 10

• Breast cancer

Question 11

What is Angiogenesis?

Answer 11

• The process of forming new blood vessels

Question 12

Why can angiogenesis be a sign of cancer?

Answer 12

• Tumors require blood vessels to grow
• Cancer cell enzymes initiate blood vessel growth
• (Prevention/inhibition of blood vessel growth is KEY to treating SOME cancers)

Question 13

Cancer Warning Signs

Answer 13

C hange in bowel or
bladder habits
A sore that does not
heal
U nusual bleeding or
discharge
T hickening or lump in
breast or elsewhere
I ndigestion or difficulty
swallowing
O bvious change in wart
or mole
N agging cough or
hoarseness

Question 14

What are BRCA 1 and BRCA 2?

Answer 14

1. Genes that produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA
2. Everyone has 2 copies of each (1 from each parental unit)
3. If they undergo harmful or pathogenic changes (are mutated),
   cancer CAN develop
4. Also may see fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers

Question 15

Who is at risk from BRCA 1/2 mutations leading to cancer?

Answer 15

• Both males and females

Question 16

Which Racial/Ethnic populations are more highly at risk for BRCA 1/2 mutations leading to cancer?

Answer 16

• Jewish
• Norwegian
• Dutch
• Icelandic
• African American

Question 17

How many levels of prevention are there?

Answer 17

• 3; Primary, Secondary, Tertiary

Question 18

What is considered part of the Primary Level of Prevention?

Answer 18

• Eating whole foods
• Avoid smoking
• Avoiding alcohol
• No sun overexposure

Question 19

What is considered part of the Secondary Level of Prevention?

Answer 19

• Screening Tests

1. Annual physical exam
2. PAP smear: cervical
   tissue cell scraping
   for examination
3. BSE: Breast self-
   exam or yearly
   mammogram
4. TSE: Testicular self-
   exam
5. PSA and DRA:
   Prostate screening
   and Digital Rectal
   Exam

Question 20

What is a PAP Smear and what is its Process?

Answer 20

• The study of cells that have sloughed off or been exfoliated
  from a tumor

1. The cells are found in body secretions such as cervical
   discharges, sputum, gastric washings, pleural fluid, and
   urinary washings
2. Procedure: Secretion on slide, stained and examined by
   Pathologist who classifies tissue as benign, dysplastic
   (suspicious), or malignant

Question 21

Cancer Warning Signs in Children

Answer 21

C ontinued/unexplaned
weight loss
H eadaches with
vomiting in morning
I ncreased
swelling/persistent
pain
L ump/mass in abd,
neck, or elsewhere
D evelopment of whitish
appearance in pupil
of eye
R ecurrent fevers not
caused by infections
E xcessive bleeding or
bruising
N oticeable paleness or
prolonged tiredness
in bones/joints