causes of cancer

Question 1

what sort of things can cause cancer?

Answer 1

ionizing radiation
genetics
asbestos
viruses
diet
parasites
cigarettes
the sun
hormones

Question 2

is smoking associated with cancer?

Answer 2

yes 15% of cancers are associated with smoking

Question 3

what ways does alcohol cause damage?

Answer 3

–Acetaldehyde: damages cells
–Hormone changes: oestrogen, insulin
–Increased absorption (of harmful chemicals)

Question 4

how does UV light cause damage?

Answer 4

UV-B causes sunburn and directly damages DNA
*UV-A does not cause sunburn although it is still thought to contribute to skin
cancer through free radical formation
*Less concerned with UV-C as it is [hopefully] blocked out by the ozone layer

Question 5

what are the types of non-melanoma skin cancers?

Answer 5

basal cell carcinoma
squamous cell carcinoma

Question 6

where does basal cell carcinoma start?

Answer 6

starts in the cells lining the bottom of the epidermis

Question 7

where does squamous cell carcinoma start?

Answer 7

starts in the cell lining the top of the epidermis

Question 8

what is thought to be the cause of malignant melanoma?

Answer 8

*UV-A and UV-B radiation are both thought to be
responsible for malignant melanoma

Question 9

what is the usual treatment for malignant melanoma?

Answer 9

surgery

Question 10

how does whole foods affect cancer, based on observation?

Answer 10

Associated with reductions in cancer and CVD mortality

Question 11

how does red meat affect cancer?

Answer 11

–Excessive consumption increases incidence of colon cancer and
ER+ve breast cancer

Question 12

what is the benefit of taking vitamin D?

Answer 12

–High intake and high plasma levels of vitamin D associated with
a decreased risk of several cancers
–Supplementation may be beneficial in areas with limited sun
exposure

Question 13

how does physical activity prevent cancer?

Answer 13

*Recommended for the primary prevention of
cancer
*Can lower hormone levels e.g. insulin
*Correlation between physical activity and a
reduction in:
–Colon, breast and endometrial cancer
*Also beneficial during cancer treatment and
in cancer survivors

Question 14

how does hormones affect cell behaviour?

Answer 14

Hormones can enter cells and cause the cell to make
proteins, which might change cell behaviour
*Overstimulation of hormone receptors can lead to
excessive cell multiplication

Question 15

do all cells have hormone receptors?

Answer 15

no

Question 16

what are the hormone driven cancers?

Answer 16

Breast and gynaecological cancers, prostate cancers

Question 17

how can hormonal cancers be stimulated?

Answer 17

Can be stimulated by endogenous or exogenous
hormones

Question 18

when is hormonal intervention important ?

Answer 18

Hormonal intervention important in cancer treatment and prevention

Question 19

how do cancers develop due to genetics?

Answer 19

Could be caused by a
change in a gene as a result
of age or a carcinogen
*Some faulty genes can be
inherited from parents

Question 20

how does geography influence development of different cancers?

Answer 20

–Chinese high levels stomach cancer
–Cannot be explained by genetic differences between races

Question 21

give an example of how viruses can cause cancer?

Answer 21

HPV- cervical cancer

Question 22

how does your immune system influence your chances of developing cancer?

Answer 22

Immunosuppression increases incidence of
some cancers
*40% patients with AIDS syndrome develop
malignancy

Question 23

what are chemical factors that increase your risk of developing cancer?

Answer 23

*Cigarette Smoking
*Asbestos
*Alcohol
*Naphthylamine and azo dyes
*Wood dust
*Soot
*Tar
*Arsenic

Question 24

what are the screening options available?

Answer 24

*Bowel: 60 years+ invited to collect a small
sample of faeces and post to lab to test for
blood (every 2 years)
*Breast: patients 50 – 70 years who have
breasts invited for mammogram where breasts
are X-rayed (every 3 years)
*Cervical: patients with a cervix 25 to 64 years
invited for cervical screen – small sample of
cells removed and tested for HPV and
abnormal changes (3 years until 49 and then 5
years)