Cancer prevention-FWN – Flashcards
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DNA
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Genetic substance of which genes are made; molecule that contains cell's genetic code; made in nucleus; made up of nucleotides (thymidine)
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RNA
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Genetic material that goes the formation of pell proteins; created in the nucleus; in cytoplasm and mitochondria;made up of nucleotides (uracil)
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Nucleotides
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Nitrogen base + 5-carbon sugar (ribose/deoxyribose) + at least one phosphate group
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Transcription
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DNA to RNA
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Translation
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RNA to protein
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Codon
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Composed of 3 consecutive nucleotides that code for (A-G-C)(T-C-T) connects with (U-C-G)(A-G-A)
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mRNA
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Helps with protein synthesis; subtype of RNA that carries a portion of DNA code to other parts of the cell for processing
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tRNA
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Helps with protein synthesis; helps decode a messenger RNA sequence into a protein
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rRNA
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Helps with protein synthesis; performs critical functions in the ribosome that allow protein synthesis to occur
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DNA and RNA
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Cell growth takes place to repair and replace old, worn-out tissue; it is controlled by _ and _ found in the jackets and cytoplasm of each cell
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Cancer: uncontrolled growth of cells
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When nuclei lose their ability to control cell growth, mutant cells can develop; cells can grow uncontrollably and abnormally, forming a mass of tissue called a tumor
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Benign tumor
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Noncancerous tumor
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Malignant tumor
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Cancerous tumor
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Cancer
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Disease characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells; the process of this actually begins with an alteration in DNA; defects of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes allow the cell to grow into s tumor (external factors: radiation, chemicals, viruses, UV light; internal factors: immune conditions, hormones, genetic mutation); begins with abnormal growth of one cell which multiplies into billions of cancerous cells
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Oncogenes
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Genes that initiate cell division; present within the chromosome; when this expression is increased, it can lead to cancer
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Tumor suppressor genes
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Deactivate the process of cell division; normally present within the body; main function is to block the formation of tumors; this activity is low when people have csncer
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UV b light
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This type of light exposure can cause non-melanoma skin cancer; CT scans can expose people to this type of light
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Fruit and vegetable consumption
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If these are grow in soil with chemicals in it, it can cause cancer
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HIV
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Virus that can lead to cancer; makes your body more vulnerable to getting cancer
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Estrogen (diethylstilbestrol) and testosterone (dehydrates rostering)
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Hormones injected into cattle and turns into protein to make more meat
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Genetic mutation
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Can be caused by asbestos
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Radon
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Comes out from soil; found in basements; increase risk of lung cancer
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Telomeres
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Molecules at both ends of a chromosomes; each time a cell divides, chromosomes lose these; chromosomes eventually run out of these and the cell dies
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Telomerase
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Human tumors make this which keeps the chromosome from running out of telomeres
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Carcinoma in situ
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If encapsulated, may go for months or years without significant growth; an encapsulated malignant tumor that has not spread
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Angiogenesis
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Precursor of metastasis, in which cancer cells can break away and migrate to other parts of the formation of blood vessels (capillaries)
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Metastasis
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Movement of cells from one part of the body to another; if cancer cells do this, treatment can become more difficult
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Cancer; cancer deaths
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The second leading cause of death in the US, and the leading cause of death in children; 60-80% are preventable, 50% are curable, most are lifestyle-related; leading causes of _ _: tobacco use, unhealthy nutrition, physical inactivity, excessive body fat; 1 in 2 men, 1 in 3 women; rate is higher in African Americans
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Factors that aid in the cause of cancer
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Food additives and packaging; tension and stress (cardiovascular change/hormone change [cortisol]); genetics; environment
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Warning signals of cancer
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Change in bowel or bladder habits; sore that does not heal; unusual bleeding or discharge; thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere; indigestion or difficulty in swallowing; obvious changes in wart or mole; nagging cough or hoarseness
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Risk factors of lung cancer
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Smoking, amount smoked and length of time, secondhand smoke, radon gas exposure, type of industrial work
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Risk factors of colon/rectum cancer
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Age, family predisposition, personal history, physical history, race or ethnicity
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Risk factors of skin cancer
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UV light exposure, complexion, personal/family history of melanoma and moles, work environment, radiation (should perform skin self-webcams regularly; 1 in 6 Americans develop this type of cancer
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Warning signs of melanoma
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ABCDE: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Elevation
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Risk factors for breast cancer
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Age, race, family history, personal history, maternity, physical inactivity, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), alcohol, obesity, breast-tissue density, menstrual history, hormone therapy or oral contraceptives, dietary factors (detects: monthly breast self-examination, annual doctor exam, periodic mammograms)
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Risk factors for cervical cancer
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Human papilloma virus (HPV), smoking, sexually transmitted infections, diet, overweight, birth control pills, pregnancies, family history (early detection through Pap smear)
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Risk factors for endometrial cancer
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Estrogen use, age, race, pregnancy, weight, diabetes, number of menstrual cycles, hypertension, physical inactivity
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Risk factors of prostate cancer
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Age and family history, race (higher in African Americans), diet, physical inactivity (causes are unknown, early detection by prostate exam and PSA test)
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Risk factors of testicular cancer
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Most common cancer in men ages 15-34, highly curable if diagnosed early, under ended or abnormal testicles, family history, race (higher in Caucasians)
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Risk factors for pancreatic cancer
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Age, tobacco use, high sugar intake (raises glucose and insulin levels; poisons and kills pancreatic cells), obesity, physical inactivity, chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis, diabetes, family history, African American
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Risk factors for bladder and kidney cancer
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Heavy cigarette smoking, congenital abnormalities of kidney or bladder, exposure to certain chemicals, history of schistosomiasis, frequent urinary tract infections, male gender
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Risk factors of oral cancer
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Affects the mouth, lips, tongue, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, and floor of the mouth; heavy tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption
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Risk factors for esophageal and stomach cancer
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Diet low in fresh fruits and vegetables, salt-cured, smoked, and nitrate-cured foods, heartburn or GERD, history of pernicious anemia, excessive boy weight, tobacco and alcohol use, fusion history
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Risk factors of thyroid cancer
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Age, radiation, family history, occurs more often in women and caucasians
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Risk factors of liver cancer
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History of cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C, exposure to vinyl chloride and aflatoxin, excessive alcohol consumption, higher rates in Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
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Risk factors of leukemia
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Inherited susceptibility, Down syndrome and other genetic abnormalities, excessive exposure to ionizing radiation, environmental exposure to chemicals such as benzene in gasoline and cigarette smoke
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Risk factors of lymphoma
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Causes are unknown, prevention is limited because little is known about causes
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Guidelines for cancer prevention
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maintain healthy body weight throughout life; adopt a physically active lifestyle; adopt a healthy diet; limit alcohol consumption; don't use tobacco in any form; avoid exposure to occupational hazards
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cruciferous vegetables
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plants that produce cross-shaped leaves (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts) protect against cancer
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carotenoids (beta carotene)
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pigment substances in plants that are often precursors to vitamin A
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phyronutrients
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block formation of cancerous tumors and disrupt the progress of cancer; minimum of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day
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fiber
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25 (women) to 38 (men) grams per day
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nitrosamines
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potentially cancer-causing compounds formed when nitrites and nitrates combine with other chemicals in the stomach
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carcinogens
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substances that contribute to the formation of cancers
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predominantly vegetarian
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cruciferous vegetables, tea, vitamin D, soy products, calcium, and omega-3 fats; carotenoids in brightly colored fruits and vegetables; vitamins and minerals; antioxidants (selenium)
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polyphenols
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found in tea; potent cancer-fighting antioxidants; block formation of nitrosamines and quell activation of carcinogens; shut off formation of cancer cells; increase detoxification defenses
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Fat intake
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Should be primarily monounsaturated and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, which offer protection against colorectal, pancreatic, breast, oral, esophageal, and stomach cancers
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Protein
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Combination of heme protein with iron in red meat contributes to nitrosamines formation; excess animal protein decreases blood enzymes that fight tumor development; cooking meat at high temperatures leads to formation of carcinogenic HCAs and PAHs
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Soy
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Pros: contains chemicals that prevent cancer; isoflavones (phytoestrogens) block angiogenesis Cons: isoflavones stimulate growth of estrogen-dependent tumors
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Alcohol consumption
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Too much of this raises the risk for developing certain cancers, especially when combined with tobacco smoking or smokeless tobacco; one drink per day increases a woman's risk of cancer by 13%
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Excessive body weight
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Accounts for 14-20% of deaths from cancer; obese men and women have more than 50% increased risk for dying from any form of cancer; this also raises hormone levels in the body that stimulate tumor growth
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Tobacco
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Biggest carcinogenic exposure in the environment; life expectancy for a chronic smoker is abut 15 years shorter than for a nonsmoker; 87% of lung cancers and 30% of all cancers are linked to smoking
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Exposure to sun
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"Safe-sun" exposure (10-20 minutes per day) is beneficial to health; too much UV exposure is a major contributor to skin cancer; one to two blistering sunburns can double the lifetime risk for melanoma (no such thing as a "healthy" tan); SPF 15 sun screen blocks UVB and UVA rays
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Types of skin cancer
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Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma (most deadly)
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UVB rays
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Cause sunburn and lead to skin csncers
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UVA rays
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Pass deeper into the skin; cause skin damage and skin cancers
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Estrogen
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Linked to endometrial cancer
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Radiation
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Benefits of x-rays outweigh risk
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Occupational hazards that increase cancer risk
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As extols, nickel, uranium, chromium, vinyl, chloride, and bischlormethyl ether
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Physical activity
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Daily 30-,Knute moderate exercise lowers risk for colon, breast, and uterine cancers by 20-50%; regular strength-training also contributes to lower cancer mortality; moderate exercise fights cancer by improving the autoimmune system
