Cancer Chapter 10: Behavioral Factors

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Questions and Answers

What effect does a high-fat diet have regarding cancer risk?

It increases cholesterol levels. (correct)

It lowers the risk of stomach cancer.

It has no effect on cancer risk.

It decreases cholesterol levels.

Which cancer types are associated with obesity based on risk factors?

Lung and esophageal cancer.

Skin and colon cancer.

Testicular and stomach cancers.

Breast, endometrium, and kidney cancers. (correct)

How much can a fruit and vegetable-rich diet reduce the risk of stomach cancer?

By 15%.

By 25%.

By 19%. (correct)

By 10%.

What role does selenium play in cancer risk management?

It may help protect against certain cancers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor linked to carcinogenic risk in the content?

Excessive exercise. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage reduction in lung cancer incidence is associated with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables?

12%. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the protective effects of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables?

They can reduce the risk of all cancers. Signup and view all the answers

What type of cancer risk is associated with high cholesterol levels?

Colon cancer. Signup and view all the answers

What factor has NOT contributed to the decline in cancer deaths in the United States?

Increased incidence of lung cancer Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the relationship between cancer incidence and death rates?

An increase in incidence does not necessarily mean an increase in death rates. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common myth regarding the causes of cancer?

60% of cancers are caused by genetic factors. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the psychosocial factors associated with cancer?

Physical health history Signup and view all the answers

Among the following, which environmental risk factor is likely to be encountered by individuals?

Radiation exposure from X-rays Signup and view all the answers

How should behavioral factors for cancer be ranked according to severity of risk?

They should be ranked based on evidence of their impact on cancer rates. Signup and view all the answers

What role does optimistic bias play in relation to cancer risk?

It may cause individuals to underestimate their personal risk of cancer. Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of social support for cancer patients and survivors?

It can improve emotional well-being during treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the liver mentioned in relation to alcohol?

Detoxifying alcohol Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cancer is NOT strongly associated with excessive alcohol consumption?

Pancreatic cancer Signup and view all the answers

What lifestyle factor is linked to an increased risk for certain types of cancers, including colon and breast cancer?

Sedentary lifestyle Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the relationship between smoking and drinking?

Smoking and drinking together significantly raise cancer risk. Signup and view all the answers

What is a well-known cause of skin cancer according to the information provided?

Ultraviolet light exposure Signup and view all the answers

What condition is more likely to lead to liver cancer according to the content?

Cirrhosis of the liver Signup and view all the answers

How has the incidence of skin cancer in the United States changed since the mid-1970s?

It has risen Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cancers does NOT have a noted decreased risk associated with increased physical activity?

Liver cancer Signup and view all the answers

Which cancers account for about half of all cancer deaths in the United States?

Lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers Signup and view all the answers

What recent trend has been observed regarding stomach cancer mortality rates?

It has shifted from the highest mortality rate to lower rates. Signup and view all the answers

What is the trend regarding liver cancer's mortality rate?

The death rate is falling thanks to improved treatment and early detection. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common treatment recommended for cancer that has not spread?

Surgery Signup and view all the answers

Which cancer is experiencing an increase in incidence among men and a decrease among women?

Thyroid cancer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common side effect of chemotherapy?

Burns Signup and view all the answers

What perspective is shared by experts regarding the perception of cancer?

Many view cancer as a chronic disease that can be lived with. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an inherent risk factor for cancer?

Family history and genetics Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is associated with a poor reaction to a cancer diagnosis?

Social inhibition Signup and view all the answers

What strong relationship has been identified regarding coping with cancer diagnosis?

Optimism is related to better adjustment Signup and view all the answers

How does ethnic background influence cancer risk?

African Americans generally face higher rates and mortality for many cancers. Signup and view all the answers

How much does marriage reduce a man's chances of dying from cancer?

27% Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason for the ongoing fear surrounding cancer among individuals?

Widespread misunderstanding of cancer as a manageable illness. Signup and view all the answers

What is one main objective of effective psychological interventions for cancer patients?

To improve emotional well-being Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential benefit of peer support groups for cancer patients?

They are beneficial for those without marital support Signup and view all the answers

What treatment option has been recently added to the cancer treatment arsenal?

Hormonal treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is the most fatal form of skin cancer?

Malignant melanoma Signup and view all the answers

In which population is malignant melanoma most often found?

Light-skinned people Signup and view all the answers

What type of exposure significantly contributes to the development of skin cancer during childhood?

Ultraviolet light exposure Signup and view all the answers

What viral infection is linked to an increased risk of cervical and oral cancers?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Signup and view all the answers

What is the vaccination rate for HPV in the most at-risk age groups?

20% Signup and view all the answers

What role do psychologists play in the lives of cancer patients?

Offering emotional support and coping strategies Signup and view all the answers

What is a common psychological reaction after a cancer diagnosis?

Anger and anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which psychosocial factor is suggested to have a weak relationship with cancer risk?

Personality traits Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 10: Behavioral Factors in Cancer

Cancer deaths peaked in 1991, after a century of rising rates, followed by a gradual decline.
Factors contributing to decline include improved treatments, decreased lung cancer rates, improved diets, and increased physical activity.
Lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers account for roughly half of all cancer deaths in the US. Mortality rates for these are declining. Stomach cancer has seen a significant drop in mortality rate.
Some cancers, such as liver cancer, are experiencing increasing incidence and mortality rates.
Melanoma, a skin cancer, is seeing an increase in incidence but a decrease in mortality, largely due to improved treatments and early detection. Thyroid cancer is increasing for men and decreasing for women.
Some people are frightened of cancer despite declining mortality rates for many common cancers. Some experts in cancer care and patient advocacy argue this is because many types are now considered chronic diseases, where people may live for years while being treated for these diseases.

Warm-Up Activity

Students are to break into small groups of no more than three.
In groups, students identify actions they take or do not take to avoid cancer.
As a class, the common themes are discussed.

Tonight's Objectives

Explain the two factors that contributed to the decline in cancer deaths in the US.
Describe how an increase in cancer incidence doesn't necessarily equate to increased death rates (for some cancers).
Refute the statement that genetic factors cause 60% of cancers.
Identify three environmental risk factors and describe how people encounter them.
Rank behavioral risk factors for cancer based on severity, with reasoning.
Evaluate the role of optimistic bias in behavioral risk factors for cancer.

Chapter Objectives (3 of 3)

Evaluate the role of psychosocial factors in cancer development.
Describe the advantages and drawbacks of common cancer treatments.
Describe three factors associated with good cancer adjustment and three with poor adjustment.
Discuss the importance of social support for cancer patients and survivors and the best sources for social support.

Inherent Risk Factors for Cancer

Inherited risk factors include genetics, family history, ethnic background, and age.
Age is a risk for everyone with the risk of developing and dying from cancer increasing in older age groups.
Ethnic background can significantly affect cancer risk, with some ethnic groups, like African Americans, having higher rates for nearly all cancers.
Family history and genetics are factors in about 5-10% of all cancers.

Environmental Risk Factors for Cancer

Environmental risks include radiation, asbestos, pesticides, herbicides, motor exhaust, chemicals like arsenic, benzene, chromium, nickel, vinyl chloride, and various petroleum products.
Radon, a natural radioactive gas, can cause lung cancer.
Some diseases and chronic infections increase the risk of certain cancers.

Behavioral Risk Factors for Cancer

Risk factors are not necessarily causes but rather predictors of likelihood.
Smoking is a significant factor for cancer mortality globally, with a strong positive correlation between smoking and lung cancer rates.
Diet plays a role, with some foods suspected of being carcinogenic due to contaminants or additives. Excess fat is a risk for colon cancer and cholesterol issues.
Obesity increases the risk of esophageal, breast, endometrial, and kidney cancers.
Certain foods like an adequate intake of fruits and vegetables are thought to offer some level of protection against several types of cancer.
Alcohol is a risk factor for oral, esophageal, breast, and liver cancers, correlated with cirrhosis of the liver.
Excessive drinking, especially combined with smoking, increases cancer risk significantly beyond the individual risks of each.

Sedentary Lifestyle and Cancer

A sedentary lifestyle increases risk for colon, endometrial, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers.
Physical activity reduces the risk of these cancers.

Ultraviolet Light Exposure and Cancer

Exposure to UV light, particularly from the sun, is a known cause of skin cancer. Cumulative and severe sunburns are strongly linked to subsequent risk.
The most fatal form of skin cancer is malignant melanoma, often found in light-skinned people.
Skin cancer damage often begins in childhood.
Vitamin D production from sun exposure can help reduce the risk of several forms of cancer by promoting vitamin D synthesis.

Sexual Behavior and Cancer

Some sexual behaviors contribute to cancer, especially those related to AIDS (Kaposi's sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma).
Exposure to HPV increases the risk of cervical and oral cancers.
A vaccine exists against HPV, but vaccination rates remain low in some key demographic groups.

Psychosocial Risk Factors in Cancer

There is limited evidence linking specific personality types to cancer risk factors.
Negative emotionality and the tendency to repress emotion may be some of the factors influencing cancer outcomes.

Living with Cancer

Cancer diagnosis is highly stressful, causing fear, anxiety, and anger in patients.
Social support is strongly correlated with increased likelihood of survival amongst cancer patients.
Psychologists can offer emotional support and coping mechanisms.

Problems with Medical Treatments for Cancer

Most treatment methods for cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, etc., have negative side effects that can add stress to patients and their families.
Side effects can be painful, unpleasant, and long-lasting.
Newer treatments like hormonal therapy and immunotherapy have been added to the treatment arsenal.

Adjusting to a Cancer Diagnosis

Adjusting to a cancer diagnosis is a challenge for everyone, but some manage better than others.
Factors like negative emotionality and social inhibition can be indicators of poorer adjustment to diagnosis.
Optimism is strongly related to adjusting well to a diagnosis but its direct effects on long-term outcomes are not definitively clear.

Marriage reduces a man's chance of dying from cancer by 27% and a woman's by 19%.
Economic factors and better quality healthcare may at least partly explain this, but stronger emotional support from a partner shows a larger effect.
Peer support groups are helpful for those who lack marital support.

Psychological Interventions for Cancer Patients

Group and individual therapy techniques can help patients cope with cancer diagnoses.
Effective interventions can either improve emotional well-being, increase survival time, or both.
Psychological interventions generally provide short-term benefits such as stress reduction and improved coping mechanisms in cancer patients. "One-size-fits-all" approach should not be taken in intervention methods, individual needs and effectiveness should be a consideration.

Additional Considerations

Students should reflect on what they've learned about reducing cancer risks related to their own risk factors. They should determine if any changes are necessary.

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Description

This quiz explores the impact of behavioral factors on cancer incidence and mortality rates through various studies highlighted in Chapter 10. It covers trends in cancer deaths, the decline of certain cancers, and the rise of others, emphasizing the importance of diet, exercise, and early detection. Test your understanding of these critical factors in cancer care.