Term
|
Definition
| complex disease characterized by abnormal & uncontrollable cell division which results in the formation of tumors; growth genes regulate cell division. Mutation of genes responsible for controlling cell division and growth causes normal cells to become cancerous. |
|
|
Term
| Benign (noncancerous) Tumor |
|
Definition
| slow-growing, non-mobile tumor that does not infiltrate surrounding tissue and can often be surgically removed. |
|
|
Term
| Malignant (cancerous) Tumor |
|
Definition
| cells multiply rapidly and spread to other tissues in the body; difficult to detect, often microscopic, have a less than favorable outlook. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| mutant, cancer-causing gene; able to transform normal cell into cancerous cell when activated. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| normal cellular genes; source of derivation for oncogenes. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| tumor suppressor genes; slow cell growth and differentiation but when mutated, growth control for the cell is deregulated. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| multistep process i.e. initiation, promotion and progession; single gene mutations are usually unable to induce full malignancy. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| chemicals that increase frequency of mutations and cause cancer i.e. alcohol, cigarette smoking, smoked/cured/barbecued foods, UV radiation, pollutants, pesticides, viruses. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| help stimulate tumor growth during promotion phase of Cancinogenesis i.e. hormones, growth factors and dietary fat. |
|
|
Term
| Antioxidants (role in cancer prevention) |
|
Definition
| diets low in fat, unrefined complex carb diets are high in fiber and antioxidants which prevent damage to DNA and helps prevent cancer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| rates have increased as fat intake has increased as a result of low-fiber, high sugar intake. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| enzyme that converts steroid hormones (testosterone, DHEA, androstenedione) into estrogen; appears in some types of cells, like fat cells. Thus, the more fat cells, the more aromatase enzyme present to convert steroid hormones to estrogen. |
|
|
Term
| Breast Cancer (risk factors) |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Estrogen Replacement Therapy (HRT) |
|
Definition
| used to treat postmenopausal women for heart disease and osteoporosis; birth control pills only slightly increase risk for breast cancer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| most common cancer associated with men (significant mortality rate); gland below bladder secretes acidic solution that harms sperm. Prostate gland enlarges as men age and often develops cancer. |
|
|
Term
| Prostate Cancer (risk factors) |
|
Definition
| old age (most common in men 65), obesity, high-fat diets (increase risk). |
|
|
Term
| Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1) |
|
Definition
| plays a role in promoting prostate cancer along with estrogen, insulin and testosterone. High-fiber, low-fat and/or excercise shown to decrease growth of prostate cancer cells. |
|
|
