Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Miscellaneous > Breast Cancer > Flashcards

Breast Cancer Flashcards

(48 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What type of cancer is breast cancer most commonly?

A

Adenocarcinoma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Is breast cancer common?

A

Yes! Very common

32 women diagnosed every day

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the risk factors of breast cancer?

A

Age: increased prevalence with age

Lifestyle:

  • overweight
  • alcohol
  • physical inactivity

Occupational, chemicals, night shift

Increased oestrogen exposure

Family history

Genetics: BRCA1 + 2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Why does overweight + obesity increase the risk of breast cancer?

A

Fat cells produce oestrogen
The more fat cells you have the more oestrogen you have

Oestrogen increases the risk of breast cancer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why does doing lots of night shifts increase the risk of breast cancer?

A

Night shifts reduce levels of melatonin in the blood

Melatonin is a hormone associated with darkness and going to sleep

It also prevents tumour formation

So the less melatonin you have the more risk of tumour formation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What things can cause increased oestrogen exposure?

A

HRT
OCP
Obesity

Breastfeeding and parity reduce exposure

Time between menarche and menopause

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What genetic mutations are associated with breast cancer?

A

BRCA 1 and 2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the link between oestrogen and breast cancer?

A

Sometimes, oestrogen can stimulate breast cells to grow in an uncontrollable way

These become oestrogen positive tumours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

The family history risk of breast cancer is significant only if it involves … relatives.

A

First degree

Sister, mother, daughter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What cancers does BRCA1 increase the risk of?

A

Breast
Bowel
Ovarian
Prostatic (men)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What cancers does BRCA 2 increase the risk of?

A

Breast

Ovarian

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Why does mutation of BRCA1 and 2 cause an increased risk of breast cancer?

A

Because BRCA 1 and 2 are tumour suppressor genes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

HER 2 gene mutation is inherited.

True or false?

A

False!

HER2 is a mutation that occurs in some cancer cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What happens to the HER2 gene when it mutates?

A

Overexpression of HER2 gene meaning overexpression of HER2 protein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What type of gene is HER2?

A

A proto-oncogene
It usually regulates cell growth
When out of control it leads to uncontrolled growth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is an adenocarcinoma?

A

Cancer of epithelial cells of glands or ducts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a non-invasive carcinoma?

A

When the tumour is confined to the ducts, lobules or acini

No infiltration of the basement membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Why do we need to worry about non-invasive carcinomas?

A

Because they have the potential to become invasive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Desrcibe the anatomy of the breast?

A

Acini: small glands

Clusters of these acini are called a lobule

These drain into ducts which drain into bigger ducts and connect to the nipple

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Which is the most common type of breast cancer?

Study These Flashcards
A

Invasive ductal carcinoma

21
Q

Describe what a breast lump caused by cancer might be like?

Study These Flashcards
A 
Painless
Firm and irregular
Asymmetric
Lump not present on other side
Fixed to muscle
Causing tethering of skin
22
Q

Besides a lump, how does breast cancer present?

Study These Flashcards
A

Nipple changes
Blood or watery discharge
Peau d’orange
Erythema

Signs of metastatic disease

23
Q

Investigation of breast cancer?

Study These Flashcards
A

Triple assessment

  1. clinical assessment
  2. imaging
  3. histology (biopsy)
24
Q

What imaging should you do when assessing breast cancer?

Study These Flashcards
A

USS

Mammogram if you are strongly suspicious of breast cancer

MRI can be helpful

25
What types of biopsy are there to investigate breast cancer with?
Biopsy of deep breast tissue using US guidance Punch biopsy: take some epidermis and dermis Useful in breast cancer that is obvious on skin Lymph node biopsy: to check for metastasis to there
26
How do we stage breast cancer?
Stage 1-4 TNM
27
When does a cancer become invasive?
When it ruptures the bassment membrane
28
What options are there in terms of breast cancer surgery?
Wide local excision (WLE) Breast conservation surgery Mastectomy Breast reconstruction
29
When is radiotherapy indicated in breast cancer?
After a WLE or breast conservation surgery As a neo-adjuvant therapy to shrink a tumour making it operable
30
What is the difference between adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapy?
Neo-adjuvant: before surgery Adjuvant: after surgery
31
What is the point in neo-adjuvant therapy?
To shrink a tumour and make it operable or easier to operate
32
What is the point of adjuvant therapy?
Often there are micro-metastases that have spread even before the cancer was detectable Adjuvant therapy clears these
33
What are micro-metastases?
Metastasis of small clusters of cancer cells, occurs very early on in cancer They can lie dormant for years and be activated causing a recurrence of cancer
34
All breast cancers are sensitive to chemotherapy. | True or false?
False Some are completely insensitive Some are sensitive initially but adapt and become resistant
35
When is chemotherapy indicated?
Herceptin positive Oestrogen receptor positive (sometimes) As a neo-adjuvant or adjuvant therapy
36
What is the best treatment for oestrogen receptor positive chemotherapy?
Endocrine Oestrogen receptor blockers or aromatase inhibitors These tumours are stimulated to grow by oestrogen, so if no oestrogen no growth
37
Name the endocrine agents used in oestrogen receptor | positive breast cancer?
Tamoxifen: an oestrogen receptor blocker Aromatase inhibitors: inhibit the conversion of androgen into oestrogen
38
What are some common sites of metastasis in breast cancer?
``` Lymph nodes Liver Lung Brain Bone ```
39
How does breast cancer metastasis damage bone?
Tumours in the bone stimulate osteoclast activity They make holes in the bone
40
When are women invited to screening for breast cancer?
Between ages 47 to 73 (approximately)
41
What types of drugs are used in HER2 breast cancers?
Biologics, such as trastuzumab
42
What is meant by triple negative breast cancer?
Cancer that is not linked with oestrogen, progesterone or HER2
43
Which hormones are associated with breast cancer?
Oestrogen | Progesterone
44
What is lymphoedema?
Fluid retention resulting from problems with the lymph drainage system Often because lymph nodes have been removed because breast cancer has spread to them
45
What is the normal function of the lymphatic system?
Returns interstitial fluid to the thoracic lymph duct and then the bloodstream
46
Why should you be careful before removing lymph nodes?
Only remove them if necessary, because the more you remove the higher the risk of lymphoedema
47
What are the signs of lymphoedema?
Swelling, heaviness of arm
48
How can you prevent lymphoedema?
Minimise trauma to arm, i.e. don't put a canulla in that arm Wear a tight support on the arm

Miscellaneous (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions