Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

How many National Health Priority Areas are there and what are they?

A
  1. Cancer
  2. Cardiovascular health
  3. Injury prevention & control
  4. Mental health
  5. Diabetes mellitus
  6. Asthma
  7. Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions
  8. Obesity
  9. Dementia
  10. COVID-19
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2
Q

What is a National Healthy Priority?

A

It is an initiative that seeks to focus public attention and health policy on those areas that contribute most to the burden of illness in the community, particularly if the burden can be significantly reduced.

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3
Q

Fill in the missing gaps:

Cancer is a _________ __________ __________. As future nurses, you will be required to care for patients suffering from cancer. You will also be required to support their ________ and ______ who are impacted. Therefore, it is _____ that you understand _______ _______ is and why it’s a _________ __________. You will be caring for patients __________, receiving or ____________ from cancer treatment during your nursing careers.

A

Cancer is a national health priority. As future nurses, you will be required to care for patients suffering from cancer. You will also be required to support their relatives and friends who are impacted. Therefore, it is key that you understand what cancer is and why it’s a health priority. You will be caring for patients diagnosed, receiving or recovering from cancer treatment during your nursing careers.

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4
Q

True or false: Cancer impacts a substantial portion of the Australian population, and has a significant impact of the Australian Healthcare System.

A

True

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5
Q

True or false: Risk does not increase with age in cancer.

A

False

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6
Q

Fill in the missing gap:

Cancer is a group of over ___ diseases.

A

Cancer is a group of over 100 diseases.

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7
Q

What are cells in simple words?

A

The basic structural and functional unit of life. Cells are the smallest living units in organisms and can perform various functions necessary for life.

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8
Q

How does your body grow and body tissue (such as skin) renew itself?

A

Our trillions of cells go through a process of cell division.

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9
Q

What is the following process known as?

Cells divide and make copies of themselves.

A

Cell division.

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10
Q

What process is the following known as?

This happens in a controlled way and means that we have the right number of each type of cell.

A

Cell divison.

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11
Q

How do the cells know when to die or divide?

A

The DNA contained in each cell provides instructions to do so.

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12
Q

When cells don’t divide correctly, what is that known as?

A

A mutation.

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13
Q

True or false: Cell mutations are not random.

A

False

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14
Q

Why does the risk of cancer increase with age?

A

Cell mutations build up over time and therefore the risk of cancer increases with age.

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15
Q

True or false: Mutations are harmless.

A

True

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16
Q

Fill in the missing gaps:

Mutations are _______, but sometimes cause a cell to divide ________, which is how ______ starts.

A

Mutations are harmless, but sometimes cause a cell to divide uncontrollably, which is how cancer starts.

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17
Q

True or false: Mutations can be inherited or run in families but it is rare.

A

True

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18
Q

DNA mutations are also caused by environmental factors that damage the DNA. What are some examples?

A

 Tobacco smoke
 Obesity
 Alcohol
 Pollution
 Certain infections
 Sun exposure

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19
Q

Fill in the missing gap:

A clump of mutated cells is called a ______?

A

Tumour

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20
Q

True or false: A benign tumour is cancerous.

A

False. A benign tumour is non-cancerous.

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21
Q

What is a malignant tumour?

A

A cancerous tumour that can spread to other parts of the body.

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22
Q

What is a screening test?

A

Medical tests performed to detect diseases or conditions in people who do not yet have symptoms.

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23
Q

Fill in the missing gaps:

The goal of ________ _______ is to identify health problems early, when treatment may be more _______.

A

The goal of screening tests is to identify health problems early, when treatment may be more effective.

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24
Q

The following is known as what?

When malignant tumours spread away from the primary site.

A

Metastases or mets.

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25
Q

The following symptoms are examples of what?

 Unusual lump or swelling
 Tiredness
 Unintentional weight loss
 Unexplained bleeding
 Changes to toilet habits
 Skin changes
 Cough or hoarse voice
 Breathlessness

A

Warning signs of cancer.

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26
Q

The following investigations are what..?

 Blood tests
 Imaging tests – CT, MRI, ultrasound
 Biopsy – Cells are taken for examination under a microscope

A

How cancer is diagnosed.

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27
Q

When does ‘staging’ refer to?

E.g. Stage 1 cancer.

A

Staging refers to the type, size, and spread of cancer. The investigations are what help us find this information.

28
Q

What is the goal of cancer treatment?

A

The goal of treatment is to remove/destroy the tumour cells in the body, while minimising damage to normal, healthy cells.

29
Q

What are some examples of cancer treatment?

A
  • Surgery – Tumour is removed from the body
  • Chemotherapy – Anti-cancer medicine is given to kill the tumour cells
  • Radiotherapy – Radiation is targeted to destroy cancer cells
  • Immunotherapy
  • Gene therapy
  • Hormone therapy
30
Q

What does remission mean?

A

Remission means that the signs and symptoms of a disease have improved or disappeared; temporary break from the illness.

31
Q

Fill in the missing gaps:

Cancer treatment may significantly reduce ______ size and ease ________. However, it is difficult to know whether all the cancer cells in the body have been removed, and if some remain in the body, the cancer might return, months or years later (__________).

A

Cancer treatment may significantly reduce tumour size and ease symptoms. However, it is difficult to know whether all the cancer cells in the body have been removed, and if some remain in the body, the cancer might return, months or years later (recurrence).

32
Q

Fill in the missing gaps:

________ cancer, also known as cancer of the ____ or _____ cancer, is the ______ most diagnosed cancer.

A

Colorectal cancer, also known as cancer of the colon or bowel cancer, is the second most diagnosed cancer.

33
Q

Fill in the missing gaps:

In ____ a total of individuals were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer accounted for _____ of all new cases and it was the _____ most diagnosed cancer in 2021.

A

In 2021 a total of individuals were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer accounted for 10% of all new cases and it was the 4th most diagnosed cancer in 2021.

34
Q

What is dietary fibre found in and why is it important?

A

Whole grains, fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts, and legumes. It is important for health and may lower the risk of diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

35
Q

Fill in the missing gap:

In 2010, 18% of bowel cancer cases in Australia were linked to not getting enough ______.

A

In 2010, 18% of bowel cancer cases in Australia were linked to not getting enough fibre.

36
Q

Diet, obesity, alcohol and physical activity are modifiable risk factors for?

A

Colorectal cancer.

37
Q

Why does alcohol increase the risk of cancer?

A

Because it contains ethanol, a substance that’s known to cause cancer. Regardless of the type of alcoholic drink, ethanol is a Group 1 carcinogen.

38
Q

What is a carcinogen?

A

A carcinogen is a substance or agent that can cause cancer. Carcinogens can be found in various forms, including chemicals, radiation, certain viruses, and some lifestyle factors.

E.g. Automobile exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke.

39
Q

Fill in the missing gaps:

Behavioural modifications may reduce risk of colorectal cancer and should be recommended to people of all ages. These include participating in
regular ______ ________, consumption of a healthy ______, reducing consumption of ________, increasing consumption of _______ _____ will reduce an individuals risk of colorectal cancer.

A

Behavioural modifications may reduce risk of colorectal cancer and should be recommended to people of all ages. These include participating in
regular physical activity, consumption of a healthy diet, reducing consumption of alcohol, increasing consumption of dietary fibre will reduce an individuals risk of colorectal cancer.

40
Q

True or false: Colorectal cancer often shows all sorts of symptoms.

A

False. Colorectal cancer often shows no symptoms until it’s advanced.

41
Q

What is the principal screening test in Australia for colorectal cancer?

A

Faecal occult blood test (FOBT).

42
Q

What are polyps?

A

A polyp is a growth on or in an organ in your body. Most polyps are benign, which means they are not cancerous. Some are precancerous, which means that they can turn into cancer over time. Others may be malignant (cancerous), which means they can spread.

43
Q

What is this?

A

A polyp.

44
Q

What is the faecal occult blood test (FOBT) and how is it done?

A

Faecal occult blood refers to blood in the faeces that is not visibly apparent. A faecal occult blood test checks for hidden blood in the stool.

It involves taking a minuscule sample from two separate bowel motions (faeces) using a test kit, then sent to a lab.

45
Q

What are the potential barriers to participation in bowel cancer screening programs?
[select all correct answers]

  • Cost
  • Aversion to manipulating faeces
  • Lack of perceived benefit of screening
  • Inconvenience of the testing process
  • Cultural beliefs and attitudes
  • Fear of a diagnosis of cancer
A

All of them.

46
Q

What is anemia?

A

A condition where there’s a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, which leads to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. This can result in symptoms like fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin, and dizziness. Anemia can have various causes, including iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic diseases, and blood loss.

47
Q

How is anemia relevant to bowel cancer?

A

Anemia can be a symptom.

48
Q

What is the difference between an organ and a gland?

A

Organs = A group of two or more tissues designed to carry out a specific function; e.g., the stomach.

Glands = Is an organ, specialized to secrete substances for further use in the body (by other organs) or excrete substances for elimination. Glands may be tubelike in structure.

49
Q

Bowels are part of what body system?

A

The digestive system.

50
Q

What are the six processes of the digestive system?

A
  1. Ingestion
  2. Propulsion
  3. Mechanical breakdown
  4. Digestion
  5. Absorption
  6. Defecation
51
Q

What are the two groups that the organs of the digestive system are categorised in?

A

Alimentary canal and accessory digestive organs.

52
Q

What organs are part of the alimentary canal?

A

The mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

53
Q

What is the role of the alimentary canal?

A

The role of this tube is to digest food, by breaking it down, and absorbing these broken-down fragments through its lining into the blood.

54
Q

True or false: The alimentary canal is also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or gut.

A

True

55
Q

What glands are part of the accessory digestive organs?

A

The teeth and tongue (oral cavity), gallbladder, digestive glands – salivary glands, liver, and pancreas.

56
Q

What is the role of the accessory digestive organs?

A

The role of these glands is to produce a variety of secretions that help break down food.

57
Q

These are all symptoms of..?

  • Bleeding from rectum, either mixed with or separate from the faeces.
  • Poor dietary habits = Low fibre, high fat diet.
  • Low physical activity levels
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Older age
  • Recent and persistent change in bowel habits.
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Bloating, malaise (discomfort), or mucus in the faeces.
  • Family history.
  • Symptoms of anemia = Low red blood count causing tiredness, weakness or weight loss.
  • Abdominal pain = A feeling of fullness or bloating in the bowel or rectum.
A

Colon cancer.

58
Q

Which intestine is this and label the parts.

A

This is the large intestine (large bowel) and consists of colon and rectum.

59
Q

What is bowel surgery for colorectal cancer called?

A

A colectomy.

60
Q

What is an ostomy?

A

An ostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) in the abdomen to allow waste (urine or stool) to leave the body when the normal route of elimination is not possible. This can occur due to conditions such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, trauma, or birth defects. There are different types of ostomies, including colostomies (from the colon), ileostomies (from the small intestine), and urostomies (from the urinary system). Ostomies may be temporary or permanent, depending on the individual’s condition and treatment plan.

61
Q

When might an ostomy be created

A

If a malignant tumour involves the rectum and is large enough to require the removal of the anal sphincters, the anus is sutured closed, and a permanent ostomy is created.

62
Q

What is a stoma?

A

A stoma is a small opening made on the abdomen.

63
Q

True or false: Chemotherapy is cytotoxic.

A

True

64
Q

What does cytotoxic mean?

A

Means toxic to cells. It refers to substances or treatments that can damage or destroy cells, particularly cancer cells.

65
Q

What are side effects of chemotherapy?

A

 Reduced immune system
 Dry skin
 Hair loss
 Nausea and vomiting
 Constipation, diarrhoea
 Anaemia
 Changes in memory and concentration