Cancer Risk Factors and Diagnosis

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors in Cancer Development

• Exposure to carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, and certain chemicals, can increase cancer risk
• Prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds increases risk of skin cancer
• Infection with certain viruses, bacteria, and parasites can increase cancer risk, e.g. HPV and cervical cancer, H. pylori and stomach cancer
• Diet high in processed and red meat, low in fruits and vegetables, may increase cancer risk
• Sedentary lifestyle and obesity linked to increased risk of certain cancers, such as colon and breast cancer
• Family history and inherited genetic mutations can increase cancer risk

Clinical Manifestations of Cancer

• Unexplained weight loss, fever, or fatigue
• Pain, such as bone pain, headaches, or abdominal pain
• Skin changes, including skin lesions, ulcers, or changes in mole appearance
• Changes in bladder or bowel habits, such as blood in urine or stool
• Coughing or difficulty breathing
• Lumps or thickening in breast, testicles, or elsewhere
• Abnormal bleeding, such as vaginal bleeding or blood in stool

Diagnostic Techniques

• Imaging tests, such as X-ray, CT, MRI, and PET scans, to visualize tumors and metastases
• Biopsy, where a sample of tissue is removed for microscopic examination
• Endoscopy, where a flexible tube with a camera is used to visualize internal organs
• Laboratory tests, such as blood tests, to detect tumor markers and genetic changes
• Genetic testing, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, to identify inherited mutations

Grading and Staging Protocols

• Grading: classification of cancer cells based on how abnormal they appear under a microscope, with higher grades indicating more aggressive tumors
• Staging: classification of cancer based on its extent and spread, with stages ranging from I (localized) to IV (metastatic)
• TNM system: classification of cancer based on tumor size (T), lymph node involvement (N), and metastasis (M)

This quiz covers the environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to an increased risk of developing cancer. It also explores the clinical manifestations of cancer, diagnostic techniques, and staging protocols.