Unit 6. Cancer
Cancer Definition - answer-LARGE GROUP OF DISEASES characterized by
UNCONTROLLED GROWTH AND SPREAD of abnormal cells
-a term for diseases in which ABNORMAL CELLS DIVIDE WITHOUT CONTROL.
cancer cells can INVADE nearby tissues & can SPREAD through the bloodstream and
lymphatic system to other parts of the body
Sociocultural Aspects Related to Cancer - answer-attitude : the patient attitude may
delay treatment & the nurses attitude where you need self evaluation and to be
nonjudgmental (attitudes are contagious)
-myths : uncontrolled pain, treatment is worse than disease, cannot say the word out
loud, shark cartilage in Mexico, hits air and spreads during surgery, contagious
Incidence - answer-number of newly diagnosed cases of cancer observed within a given
population within specific time frame
-NEW CASES
Morbidity - answer-total number of cases of a specific disease in a specified period of
time per unit of population alive
-ILLNESS RATE
Mortality - answer-total number of deaths from specific disease
-DEATH RATE
Cancer Facts and Figures - answer-cancer is #2 mortality in the US (heart disease is
#1)
-#1 mortality cancer is the lungs
-men have a higher cancer rate, and African American men and women
-incidence men (prostate) women (breast)
-men - 1 in 2 chance of developing
-women - 1 in 3 chance
Cancer Etiology - answer-external factors
-personal factors
Etiological Theory - Immune System Dysfunction - answer-normal immune system
should be fighting cancer
-during the time of diagnosis you have an abnormal immune function
-immunosuppressants increase your risk of developing cancer
-factors that influence - malnutrition, advancing age, chronic disease
Etiological Theory - Hormonal Influence - answercan promote or inhibit cancers to occur
& affects development depending on the use
Etiological Theories - Carcinogens - answer-chemicals : external agents associated with
occupational situations, tobacco, asbestos, exposure to chemotherapy
-diet : food additives (nitrates, nitrites, smoked, canned, cured meats), high fat diet
(breast, colon, prostate), alcohol intake, artificial sweeteners, ITS ALL ABOUT
MODERATION
-radiation : enviormental penetrates skin and damages cells, non-ionizing (ultraviolet,
radiation, light, sun), ionizing (x-rays, gamma rays)
-drugs : depending on dose and individual, chemotherapy, immunosuppressants,
estrogen/birth control, steroid use
Etiological Theories - Viral Infections - answer-hep B (liver)
-HPV (cervical, penis)
-Epstein bar virus (lymphoma)
Etiological Theories - Demographic Factors - answer-age : older
-sex : men
-race : black
-culture : behaviors, exposures, habits, sexual
-geographic isolation : air pollution
Etiological Theroies - Psychological Factors - answerpsychological stress makes you
vulnerable to immune problems
Etiological Theories - Other Factors - answer-multifactorial theory : the more factors the
higher the risk
-genetic inheritance : more susceptible, 5%-10% of cancers are hereditary
-chronic wounds/trauma : it can help diagnose cancer earlier, precancerous lesions
(benign, can become malignant)
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Dreamer252. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £12.64. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.