Cancer Research

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Questions and Answers

What is the estimated lifetime risk of getting a cancer diagnosis for those born in 1961?

1 in 2

What percentage of cancers are potentially preventable?

40%

What is the approximate number of new cancer cases in the UK every day?

1,000

What is the approximate percentage of cancer patients who will survive for 10+ years?

50% Signup and view all the answers

Why is a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach important in cancer treatment?

Because it improves patient outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is a growing trend in cancer treatment, resulting in increasing costs to the NHS?

The introduction of new chemotherapy drugs Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action of cytotoxics in cancer treatment?

By interfering with DNA replication or cell division Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between hormone therapy and targeted therapy in cancer treatment?

Hormone therapy blocks hormone receptors, while targeted therapy exploits differences in cancer cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary adverse effect of cisplatin treatment?

Nephrotoxicity Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cancer is vincristine primarily used to treat?

Haematological cancers Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of palbociclib in treating ER+ HER2-ve breast cancer?

By preventing the passing of checkpoint R Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action of daratumumab in treating multiple myeloma?

By provoking an immune response against cancer cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using targeted therapy in cancer treatment?

It exploits differences in cancer cells, leading to fewer side effects Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary indication for using hormone therapy in cancer treatment?

To treat ER+ tumours Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using cytotoxics in combination with other treatments in cancer treatment?

It increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy by killing cancer cells more quickly Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of palliative treatment in cancer patients?

To relieve symptoms and improve quality of life Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of using hormone therapy in cancer treatment?

It is not curative when used alone Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern when it comes to CINV reaction?

It has an anticipatory component Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the removal of a tumor or affected tissue as a preventative measure?

Prophylactic removal Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the system used to measure the performance status of a cancer patient?

ECOG system Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications is NOT a mainstay treatment for CINV?

Levomepromazine Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common effect of chemotherapy on the GI system?

Nausea and vomiting Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the use of two or more treatments simultaneously for cancer treatment?

Concurrent treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the treatment given after another intervention to reduce the risk of recurrence?

Adjuvant therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the cognitive impairment associated with chemotherapy?

Chemo brain Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action of Vismodegib?

Inhibiting the Hedgehog pathway Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential long-term effect of chemotherapy?

Reduced libido Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the treatment given before another intervention to reduce the size of the tumor?

Neo-adjuvant therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the main adverse effect of Olaparib?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for reducing the dose of chemotherapy or changing treatment?

To alleviate higher severity effects Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the system used to stage cancer, which takes into account the tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastases?

TNM system Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a pharmacist in clinical trials?

Running clinics and providing advice to clinicians Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the 'round' of treatment or chemotherapy?

Cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of calculating body surface area (BSA) in chemotherapy dosing?

To calculate the patient's dose based on BSA Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the genetic defect associated with breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer?

BRCA1/2 defect Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of genetic testing in cancer treatment?

To determine the patient's genetic markers for targeted therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the risk factors that can be modified or changed to reduce the risk of developing cancer?

Modifiable risk factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Mosteller formula?

To calculate the patient's body surface area Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a pharmacist in cancer treatment?

To check the accuracy of medication prescriptions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the worked example provided in the text?

To illustrate the calculation of chemotherapy dose Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of toxicity management in cancer treatment?

To manage adverse effects and reduce their impact on cancer treatment Signup and view all the answers

Why are patients on chemotherapy often told to avoid paracetamol?

Because it can interact with chemotherapy medications Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cancer Treatment Overview

Around 1,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed every day in the UK, with a 1 in 2 lifetime risk of getting a cancer diagnosis.
Almost 50% of people will survive cancer for 10+ years, and ~40% of cancers are potentially preventable.

Risk Factors

Non-modifiable risk factors:
- Age
- Genetics
Modifiable risk factors:
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Infections (e.g., HPV, EBV, Hepatitis B/C, HIV)
- Obesity
- Medication
- Co-morbidities (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, IHD)

Genetics and Cancer

Inherited or acquired genetic defects can increase cancer risk
Examples:
- BRCA1/2 defects (breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic cancer)
- Lynch syndrome (bowel cancer)
- TP53 (Li-Fraumeni syndrome) (various cancers)

Infections and Cancer

Chronic infections can increase cancer risk
Examples:
- HPV (cervical cancer)
- EBV
- Hepatitis B/C
- HIV

Cancer Treatment Aims

Curative: aim to eliminate cancer
Palliative: aim to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life

Types of Cancer Treatment

Surgery
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy, SACT)
Hormone therapy
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy

Chemotherapy (SACT)

Cytotoxics:
- Interfere with DNA replication or cell division
- Examples: Cisplatin, Vincristine
Hormone therapy:
- Blocks hormones that fuel cancer growth
- Examples: Tamoxifen, Anastrozole
Targeted therapy:
- Exploits differences between cancer and healthy cells
- Examples: Trastuzumab, Pembrolizumab

Role of the Pharmacist in Cancer Treatment

Historically:
- Screening prescriptions
- Clinical checks
- Production and release of SACT
- Patient counseling
Developments:
- Running clinics
- Pharmacist prescribers
- Consultant posts
- Trial principal investigators
- Advanced clinical practice roles

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