cq2; cancer Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is the nature of cancer?
A condition in which the body’s cells divide uncontrollably → forms tumours → disruptions to the normal functioning of the organ where it is located
- These tumours can spread to other parts of the body
What are the different types of tumours?
- Benign tumours
- Malignant tumours
What are benign tumours?
Non-cancerous and have no threat of spreading
What are malignant tumours?
Cancerous and have threat of spreading
What is the process of metastasis?
When untreated malignant cancer cells invade other parts of the body through the blood stream and the lymphatic system.
What are the classifications of cancer?
- Carcinoma
- Sarcoma
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
What are Carcinoma?
Where cancer affects epithelial cells (e.g. skin, breast and lungs)
What is Sarcoma?
Where cancer affects bone, muscle and other connective tissue
What is Leukemia?
Where cancer affects blood and bone marrow (where blood is formed)
What is Lymphoma?
Where cancer affects blood in the lymphatic system
What is the extent of cancer?
- 18% of the total disease burden (2022)
- 10% of the spending on diseases (2022)
- 160,000 new cases of cancer (2022)
- Leading cause of death in Australia
- 90% of people diagnosed with lung cancer are smokers
What are the risk factors of skin cancer?
Modifiable;
- Unprotected exposure to the sun
Non-modifiable;
- Having fair skin
- Having a large number of moles
What are the protective factors of skin cancer?
- Avoiding sunlight exposure
- Sunscreen
- Protective clothing (e.g. long sleeved shirts, hats)
What are the risk factors of breast cancer?
Modifiable;
- High fat diet
- Physical inactivity
- Late first pregnancy
- Not having children
Non-modifiable;
- Early onset of menstruation
- Late onset menopause
What are the protective factors of breast cancer?
- Self-examinations
-Screenings (e.g. mammograms, ultrasounds) - Maintaining healthy weight
- Avoiding alcohol consumption
- Eating less high fat and ‘white foods’
What are the risk factors of lung cancer?
Modifiable;
- Tobacco smoking
- Second hand smoke
What are the protective factors of lung cancer?
- Avoid/Quit smoking tobacco
- Controlled alcohol consumption
- Healthy, balanced diet
What are the common non-modifiable risk factors for cancer?
- Gender
- Age
- Family history
What are socio-cultural determinants for skin cancer?
People may conduct skin-tanning for aesthetic appeal → risk of skin cancer
What are socio-economic determinants for skin cancer?
SED individuals may be unaware of the risk factors for skin cancer and unknowingly expose themselves to carcinogens.
What are environmental determinants for skin cancer?
People in Australia are constantly exposed to sun exposure
- Namely for; tradespeople, beach goers, outdoor sports, children playing outdoors
What are socio-cultural/socio-economic/environmental determinants for breast cancer?
Since more women are in the workplace due to the change in women’s rights (socio-cultural) an financial needs (socio-economic), many women have children later in life or not at all → both of which are risk factors of breast cancer
What are socio-cultural determinants for lung cancer?
- Changes in society’s views on tobacco smoking has changed people’s behaviours → decreased lung cancer incidence
- Passive smoking of family and friends
What are socio-economic determinants for lung cancer?
- People in certain occupations have increased exposure to carcinogens (e.g. mining and construction)
- Low SES → low health literacy
