Cancer & its Management Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is cancer? (2)
- rapid reproduction of irregular cells forming a neoplasm (tumor)
- results from a dysfunction in the cell’s DNA
Define metastasis
migration of cancer cells to other parts of the body - new neoplasms form
Describe the 4 phases of tumor formation
Phase 1 - Cell Mutation - normal cells mutate into neoplasm cells and begin dividing rapidly
Phase 2 - Carcinoma in Situ - cancerous tumor has not invaded other tissues
Phase 3 - Invasive Phase - happens quickly in a few months
Phase 4 - Metastasis - dissemination to other tissues
Which are the 4 types of cancer?
Give examples when possible (3)
Carcinomas - malignant neoplasms of the skin and organ cells - e.g., lung, breast, colon
Lymphomas - cancer of the lymphatic system
Sarcomas - malignant neoplasms of the muscle, bone, and connective tissue - e.g., osteosarcoma
Leukaemia - cancers of the blood forming organs - e.g., bone marrow - lead to proliferation of WBCs
Discuss the mortality rate of cancer (3)
- second leading cause of death in the Western world
- prognosis depends on the type of cancer and how early it is detected
- 40-50% of people live after diagnosis - most will be cured
Discuss the incidence and risk of cancer (2)
- incidence of cancer is increasing due to increasing life expectancy
- risk of cancer increases with age, especially after middle age
Give the local statistics for cancer (2)
- breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer are the most common and fatal
- only 11% of the incidence is accounted for by genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors
What are the risk factors of cancers? (10)
Growing older
Tobacco
Sunlight
Ionizing radiation
Certain chemicals
Certain viruses and bacteria
Certain hormones
Family history of cancer
Alcohol
Poor diet & lack of exercise
What are the 3 causes of cancer?
- Genetics
- Environmental factors - e.g., smoking
- Psychological factors - e.g., Type C Personality
What 2 ways does cancer cause death?
Directly - spreading to a vital organ
Indirectly - impairing immune functioning
What are the diagnostic procedures for cancer? (4)
- Physician or self-administered tests
- Blood or urine tests for abnormal hormone or enzyme levels
- Radiological imaging
- Biopsy
What are the 3 treatment options for cancer?
surgery
radiation
chemotherapy
Describe surgery as a treatment option for cancer (2)
Used if cancer is localized - if it spreads, large portions are removed to reduce symptoms
Potentially healthy tissue is removed in case cancer cells have spread
Describe radiation as a treatment option for cancer (3)
radiation destroys body cells - preventing them from reproducing
2 types:
External beam therapy - beam directed to malignant tissue
Internal radiation therapy - radioactive substance inside body near tumor
Describe chemotherapy as a treatment option for cancer (2)
Oral or injection drugs targeted at cells that reproduce rapidly (even healthy cells)
Works better for Leukaemia and Lymphoma
What are the side effects of radiation? (4)
Burning sensation
Loss of appetite
Sterility
Reduced bone marrow function
What are the side effects of chemotherapy? (4)
Reduced immunity
Mouth sores
Nausea & vomiting
Hair loss
What is the psychosocial impact of cancer? (2)
Cancer is associated with death, pain, and disability
Prognosis is poorer for people with anxiety and depression - negative emotions result in lowered immune function
What factors affect adjustment to cancer diagnosis? (4)
Age and timing - e.g., testicular and uterine cancer are more problematic in young adulthood
Physical condition and site - level of pain and disfigurement
Social context
Nature of changes - e.g., marital, sexual
What are some psychosocial interventions for cancer? (5)
Progressive relaxation and imagery
Distraction techniques
CBT
Body image counselling
Pain and stress management
