Chapter 7 Cancer PDF

CHAPTER 7 OBJECTIVES  To differentiate between various types of cancer.  To be able to identify risk factors for cancer.  To understand psychological reactions to cancer.  To recognize early signs of cancer.  To understand the role of psychology in treatment and prevention of cancer. CANCER  C...

CHAPTER 7 OBJECTIVES  To differentiate between various types of cancer.  To be able to identify risk factors for cancer.  To understand psychological reactions to cancer.  To recognize early signs of cancer.  To understand the role of psychology in treatment and prevention of cancer. CANCER  Cancer is a disease of cells where cell reproduction is uncontrolled  Caused by a change in cell DNA  Uncontrolled cell reproduction leads to the development of a tumor or neoplasm Immature cells don’t perform normal function  Tumours are groups of abnormal cells that form lumps or growths. They can start in any one of the trillions of cells in our bodies.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pP4bMm9y NQ  TUMOR TUMOR TYPES Malignant Tumor   Cells more immature, dysfunctional More likely to spread to other areas of the body (metastasis)  Metastasis  Spread of cancer cells through blood/ lymphatic system and abdominal cavity (i.e. primary site to secondary sites) Non-Malignant Tumor   Benign cancer less likely to spread to other areas of the body WHAT CAUSES CANCER? https://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=S2hD2ESf3Ho 4 BROAD CATEGORIES OF CANCERS Carcinomas 1.   Occur in tissue lining internal/external surfaces of organs (including the skin) Account for 85-90% of cancers Lymphomas 2.  Occur in lymphatic system (e.g., lymph nodes, lymph vessels, spleen) 4 BROAD CATEGORIES OF CANCERS, CONT. Sarcomas 3.  Arise in connective tissue (e.g., muscle, bone, fat) Leukaemias 4.   Present in blood-forming tissues (e.g., bone marrow) Essentially involve the production of large numbers of immature white blood cells (leucocytes) of one form or another MOST COMMON SITES FOR WOMEN Incidence  Breasts, colon/rectum, lung, uterus, ovary, lymphomas Death  Lung, breast, colon/rectum, pancreas, ovary, uterus MOST COMMON SITES FOR MEN Incidence  Prostate, lung, colon/rectum, bladder, lymphomas, oral Death  Lung, prostate, colon/rectum, pancreas, lymphomas, leukaemias CAUSES OF CANCER It has been suggested that 75 to 80% of cancers are caused by modifiable lifestyle factors! Causes: random mutations and environmental agents RISK FACTORS Genetics  Some breast cancers are very strongly influenced by genes Viruses  Human Papilloma Virus (disease which leads to suppression of immune function) Radiation  Ultraviolet light (UV)(sun), X-rays, nuclear LIFESTYLE RISK FACTORS Tar in cigarettes  Accounts for 70-80% of lung cancers and 30% of all cancer deaths Diet     Fat Carcinogens (natural or additives) Methods of food preparation (charring, smoking) Alcohol (heavy drinkers 2x risk) Sexual behavior  Kaposi’s sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma PSYCHOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS Stress   Data not consistent Stress may impact on the progression of cancer (impaired immune function) Suppression of Emotion   Denial, anger Greer & Morris (1978) study of psychological factors of women who develop breast cancer PSYCHOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et RVoIVogrc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9 Dw36ve0Lwc Personality     Type I: Cancer-prone personality Type II: CHD-prone personality Type III: Mixed-type (with psychopathic tendencies) Type IV: Healthy autonomous type PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS TO CANCER The most common responses are:  Anxiety (symptoms, treatment, prognosis)  Depressive symptoms    Most people experience these at some time Feelings of loss of control   Sadness, crying, guilt, hopelessness/helplessness, etc Positive outcomes are not dependent on individual’s behavior Denial EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF CANCER? 1. A change in bowel or bladder habits 2. A sore that does not heal 3. Unusual discharge or bleeding from genital, urinary, or digestive tract. 4. A thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere. 5. Indigestion or difficulty swallowing 6. An obvious change in wart or mole 7. A persistent cough or hoarseness TREATMENT FOR CANCER  Physical/medical interventions    Surgery - remove cancer Radiotherapy / Chemotherapy shrink, slow cancer, prolong life Electricity - sarcostic cancers TREATMENT FOR CANCER  Psychological interventions  Aim to improve general functioning and minimize adverse psychological reactions TREATMENT FOR CANCER  The role of psychology  Prevention  Adjunct to medical treatment  Recovery/Relapse The potential role of psychology in cancer PREVENTION OF CANCER Psychological interventions  To modify risk behaviors (eg smoking)  To improve general functioning and minimize adverse psychological reactions  To promote preventative methods PREVENTION OF CANCER Primary Prevention  Control environmental carcinogens     Remove asbestos from schools Move all Australian children to Canada … or just introduce hat-wearing policy in schools, Slip Slop Slap!?! Ban on workplace smoking (bars and cafes) Anti-pollution laws TREATMENT FOR CANCER Secondary Prevention  Early detection (reduce spread)  Reliable, acceptable, accessible screening  Education (self screening) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfO T8gVfDvk