Cancer Basics and Definition

One in five

Prostate, lung, and colon and rectal (colorectal) cancers

Lung cancer

<p>Damage to certain genes (mutations)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A significant number</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The roles of diet and exercise in the development, progression, and possible prevention of certain cancers</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The American Cancer Society’s website at <a href="http://www.cancer.org">www.cancer.org</a> or the National Cancer Institute’s website at <a href="http://www.cancer.gov">www.cancer.gov</a></p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A group of chronic diseases characterized by cells that have undergone damage to certain genes (mutations)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Genes code for the production of specific proteins that regulate cellular growth, division, and death.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Malignant cells divide repeatedly and frequently, and they do not die, unlike healthy cells that grow, divide, and die in a controlled fashion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Abnormal cell development, rapid cell growth, and unchecked cell division can result.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Metastasis is the spread of cancer to other tissues, and it occurs when malignant cells break away from the tumor and invade other parts of the body.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Benign tumors are not cancerous, do not destroy nearby tissues, and do not metastasize, whereas malignant tumors are cancerous and can invade other tissues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A carcinogen is an environmental factor that triggers cancer, and it can irritate tissues, causing inflammation, and damage DNA, leading to mutations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A healthy immune system identifies and destroys malignant cells before they multiply uncontrollably.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Malignant cells require more nutrients due to their rapid growth and frequent cell divisions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Early diagnosis of cancer is critical because it allows for effective treatment before the cancer metastasizes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Smokers who develop lung cancer likely have genetic mutations or other factors that increase their susceptibility to the carcinogenic effects of tobacco smoke.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>80%</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tobacco use</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Poor diet, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and excess body fat</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Their risks of prostate and breast cancer increase and eventually become similar to the risks of their adopted country’s native population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>No more than one standard drink per day for women and no more than two standard drinks per day for men</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Liver cancer</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Processed meat and/or red meat</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Just under 182,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Approximately one of every four</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adequate fluid intake encourages frequent urination, which reduces the time that carcinogens remain in contact with the walls of the bladder.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Antioxidants protect DNA from free radical damage, preventing potentially cancer-causing mutations from occurring.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Increased risk of stomach cancer</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Taking antioxidant supplements may increase the risk of lung and prostate cancers, especially among smokers and men with family histories of prostate cancer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Heterocyclic amines are carcinogens formed during high-temperature cooking; their impact on human cancer risk is unclear.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Phytochemicals inhibit tumor growth by being toxic to cancer cells, interfering with their ability to form supportive blood vessels, or creating conditions that make it difficult for cancer cells to flourish.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Excess body fat is linked to higher risks of certain cancers, possibly due to elevated hormone levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Much of the evidence about the cancer-protective benefits of specific plant-based chemicals is from laboratory experiments on animals or cell cultures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Excess abdominal fat restricts stomach expansion, leading to acid reflux and chronic irritation of the esophagus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Regular physical activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Aflatoxin, found in moldy nuts and grains</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Limiting alcohol consumption, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, adopting a physically active lifestyle, and eating a healthy diet that limits intakes of red and processed meat and emphasizes intakes of plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Excess calorie intake leads to obesity, which may increase hormone levels, promoting cancer development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Physical activity may reduce cancer risk, although the exact mechanism is unclear.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fiber-rich foods may reduce the risk of cancer, and are rich sources of fiber and vitamin C, as well as carotenoids and other phytochemicals that may have antioxidant activity in the body.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>People may be able to reduce their risk of many types of cancer significantly by improving their dietary choices and increasing their physical activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Drinking enough water and other nonalcoholic fluids may reduce the risk of bladder cancer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Processed meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of cancer, possibly due to sodium nitrate and nitrite.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Following the American Cancer Society’s recommendations does not guarantee zero risk of cancer, but people may be able to reduce their risk of many types of cancer significantly by improving their dietary choices and increasing their physical activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sodium nitrate and nitrite may form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.</p> Signup and view all the answers