Chapter 10 Behavioral Factors in Cancer PDF

Chapter 10 Behavioral Factors in Cancer 1 Warm Up Activity 1. Break into small groups of no more than three people. 2. In your small group, identify all the things you do (e.g., eat a high fiber diet) or don’t do (e.g., leave plastic water bottles in hot...

Chapter 10 Behavioral Factors in Cancer 1 Warm Up Activity 1. Break into small groups of no more than three people. 2. In your small group, identify all the things you do (e.g., eat a high fiber diet) or don’t do (e.g., leave plastic water bottles in hot car) to avoid cancer. 3. Then let’s discuss the risk factors as a class. What are the common themes? Tonight’s Objectives By the end of class, you should be able to: Explain the two factors that have contributed to the decline in cancer deaths in the United States Describe how an increase in the incidence of a cancer may not equal an increase in the death rate of the cancer Refute the statement: Genetic factors are the cause of 60% of cancers Name three environmental risk factors and describe how people encounter these risks Rank the behavioral factors for cancer according to the severity of the risk each poses, along with a brief description of your reasoning for the ranking Evaluate the role of optimistic bias as a factor in the behavioral risk factors for cancer Chapter Objectives (3 of 3) Evaluate the role of psychosocial factors in the development of cancer Describe the advantages and drawbacks to the most common treatments for cancer Describe three factors that are associated with a good adjustment to a diagnosis of cancer and three factors that are associated with a poor diagnosis Discuss the importance of social support for cancer patients and survivors and the best sources for social support  Improved treatments may be part of it, but there has Cancer deaths peaked in also been a marked 1991 after nearly a century decrease in cancer rates of rising cancer deaths. from the last century as lung Since then, there has been a cancer rates have dropped, gradual decline in the death diets have improved, and rates from cancer. there is more physical activity. Cancers with Lung, breast, prostate, and Colorectal cancers account for about half of all cancer Stomach cancer has gone from being the cancer with Decreasin deaths in the United States. The mortality rates for all the highest mortality rate to the lowest. g Death these cancers is declining. Rates  Instances of melanoma, a potentially fatal form of While many instances of skin cancer, is increasing cancer are declining, the Cancers incidence and mortality rate of liver cancer is but the death rate for that cancer is falling thanks to improved treatment with growing. options and early detection. Increasing Incidence A cancer that has rates increasing in men but Pancreatic cancer, which killed Steve jobs, is seeing and falling in women is thyroid cancer. an increase and is highly lethal. Mortality Rates Afraid of the “C” word? Given that mortality rates for many of the most common cancers are declining, why are so many people frightened of cancer? Some experts in cancer care and patient advocacy have argued that, for many people, cancer has become a chronic disease – one that people may live with (and be treated for) for a number of years. Cancer Risk Factors Beyond Personal Control  Inherent risk factors for cancer include genetics and family history, ethnic background, and age. Ethnic Background can play a big part in inherent risk where African Americans fare more poorly than European Americans as they have higher rates of nearly every cancer coupled with higher mortality rates. Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans all have lower cancer rates than European Americans. Inherent Advancing Age increases risk for everybody as the chances of developing and dying of cancer goes up as we age. Risk Factors for Family History and Genetics can play an important role in factoring your risk. Cancer Of all cancers, 5% to 10% are due to inherited genetic mutations. Cancer Risk Factors: Advancing Age Inherent Risk Factors for Cancer Advancing age © 2018 Cengage  Environmental risks include exposure to risks like radiation, asbestos, and pollutants like pesticides, herbicides, motor exhaust, and other chemicals. More recently, we’ve seen arsenic, benzene, chromium, nickel, vinyl chloride, and various petroleum products as possible contributors to a number of cancers. A natural radioactive gas call radon can cause lung cancer in miners and in homes that have high amounts of this gas leaking up through the ground. Environmen tal Risk Some diseases may increase the risk for certain Factors for cancers, as well as chronic inflammation and chronic infections. Cancer  Risk factors are not necessarily the cause of disease, but they do predict the likelihood that a person will develop or die from that disease. Most risk factors for cancer relate to personal behavior and lifestyle, Behavioral especially smoking and diet. Other Risk behavioral risk factors include alcohol, physical inactivity, exposure to Factors for ultraviolet light, sexual behavior, and psychosocial factors. Cancer Smoking Smoking is the cause of 1 out of every 3 cancer deaths in the United States. Smoking is the single largest risk for cancer Despite the actual risks, the mortality worldwide. Evidence perceived risk is seen as much related smoking risk is lower for those who smoke, overwhelming. The data shows a showing an optimistic bias clear link between smoking rates concerning their chances of dying and lung cancer rates, and it is from cigarette-related causes. estimated that smokers are 25 times more likely to get lung cancer. Diet Diet can be a big factor in your cancer risk. In fact, there are some foods that are suspected of being carcinogenic, almost always Dietary fat is a risk for cancer, Obesity has been shown to because of contaminants or especially colon cancer. A high fat increase risk factors of esophageal, additives. Certain fungi that may diet can raise cholesterol levels, breast, endometrium, and kidney grow on “natural” foods have been which is a risk for testicular cancer cancers. linked to stomach cancers, in men. however preservatives and additives may also be carcinogenic. Diet Selenium is a trace element found in grain products and the meat of grain fed animals. Research initially showed Estimates state that a fruit and it might help protect against colon Foods That May Protect Against vegetable rich diet may reduce the and prostate cancer, but further Cancer do exist. Research has found instance of stomach cancer by 19%, analysis showed this wasn’t the case. that people who eat an adequate esophageal cancer by 20%, lung There are some nutrients have amount of fruits and vegetables are cancer by 12%, and colorectal cancer protective effects against some less likely to develop cancer. by 2%. cancers, but the evidence is stronger concerning the overall diet and maintaining close to the ideal body weight. Alcohol Alcohol is not as strong a risk factor for cancer as either smoking or eating an imprudent diet. It can increase the risk of cancers of the mouth, People who both smoke and drink The risk of cancer being caused by esophagus, breast, and liver. As the heavily have very high risks for alcohol has convincing evidence. The liver has the primary responsibility for certain cancers exceeding that of the risk varies by exposure and is not detoxifying alcohol, persistent and two independent risk factors added equal in all countries. excessive drinking often leads to together. cirrhosis of the liver. Cancer is more likely to develop in cirrhotic livers than healthy ones. Sedentary Lifestyle Being sedentary increases the risk for Indirectly, the benefit of some types of cancers, weight loss associated including the colon, with increased physical endometrium, breast, activity also lowers the lung, and pancreas. risk of cancer associated Physical activity can with obesity. reduce risks for these cancers.  Exposure to ultraviolent light, particularly from the sun, is a well-known cause of skin cancer. Cumulative and occasional severe sunburns relate to subsequent risk of skin cancer. The incidence of skin cancer has risen in the United States since the mid- 1970s, though the mortality rate for skin cancer is generally very low. The most fatal form of skin cancer is a malignant melanoma, which is most often found in light-skinned people. Much of the damage the eventually leads to skin cancer Ultraviolet occurs during childhood. Light Exposure Strong genetic component. Getting the right amount of sun can be helpful as it promotes vitamin D production, and vitamin D can lower risk associated with many cancers. Sexual Behavior Exposure to the HPV increases risk for two types of cancer: cervical cancer and oral cancer. HPV is Some sexual behaviors also necessary for the development of contribute to cancer deaths, cervical cancer, but not everybody especially cancers resulting from with HPV will develop cancer. AIDS, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma There is a vaccine that will stop and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. HPV infections, but the vaccination rate is below 20% in the most at-risk age groups.  There have been no major findings that link personality traits to an increased risk of cancer. The factors that show the strongest relationship come from negative emotionality and tendency to repress emotion. Psychosoci The evidence of a relationship al Risk between personality to cancer is weak. Factors in Cancer Living with Cancer Being diagnosed with cancer can be very stressful. Fear, anxiety, and anger can all come into play once the diagnosis is made. Often, the treatment for cancer is worse than the course the disease would take on its own. Having some kind of social support is necessary for cancer patients to increase their likelihood of survival. Psychologists can assist patients in how to cope with their diagnosis and treatment, while also providing emotional support.  Nearly all treatments for cancer have negative side effects that may add stress to the lives of cancer patients, their friends, and families. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy all have side effects that can painful, unpleasant, and last a long time. More recently, oncologists have added hormonal treatment and immunotherapy to their arsenal. Surgery is the most common treatment recommended for Problems cancer that has not metastasized and spread through the body. Recovery times and the emotional toll can be difficult. with Medical Radiation may also have severe side effects including burns, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and sterility. Treatment s for Chemotherapy shares many side effects with radiation and can cause additional stress on the patient and their social Cancer support group. Adjusting to a Diagnosis of Cancer Adjusting to a cancer diagnosis is a challenge for everybody, but some manage to adjust better than others. Factors that show a poor reaction to a diagnosis of cancer include negative emotionality and social inhibition. Optimism is strongly related to adjusting well to a diagnosis, but its relationship to long-term outcomes are less clear. Due to lack of evidence, “People with cancer should not feel pressured into adopting particular coping styles to improve survival or reduce the risk of recurrence” (Petticrew et al., 2002, P. 1066). Social Support for Cancer Patients Marriage reduces a man’s chances of dying from cancer by 27% and a woman’s chances by 19%. Economic benefits and better healthcare options may be possible reason for these differences, but it was shown that the emotional support of their partner was the more important factor. Peer support groups are helpful for those who don’t have marital support, or poor marital support. Psychological Interventions for Cancer Patients It has been shown that group and individual therapy techniques can help cancer patients cope They may focus on cognitive with a diagnosis. Effective Psychological interventions behavioral stress management intervention should accomplish generally yield short-term skills or focus on providing social at least one of two objectives: It benefits. support and an opportunity to should improve emotional well express emotions. being, increase survival time, or both. Cognitive behavioral therapy has There is no “one-size-fits-all” fix shown significantly decreased for cancer patients and they depression in breast cancer should find the one that works survivors. best for them. Consider what you have learned about reducing cancer risks in light of your own risk factors. Are there any changes you plan to make?