CANCER

• Epidemiology• Updated January 2011• Source: Cancer: New Registrations and Deaths 2008. retrieved Jan 25th 2012 from

Ministry of Health. May 2011 Cancer: New Registrations and Deaths http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/cancer-reg-deaths-2008

Definition of Cancer

• Large group of diseases

• Uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells

• Interrupts normal cell functioning

• Neoplasm – A new growth of tissue that serves no physiological function

Definitions• Benign – harmless, non-cancerous

• Malignant - cancerous

• Biopsy – microscopic examination

• Metastasis – process by which cancer spreads from one area to another

• Mutant cells - cells that differ in form, quality, or function from normal cells

• Carcinogens – cancer causing agents

Causes• Hereditary risk

• Acquired risk (environmental)

Environmental – Lifestyle

More than 3/4s of cancers occur in people aged 55 yrs and over

Lifetime risk –probability over time

Relative risk –relationship between risk factors and a particular cancer

Tobacco Use

• Diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, over consumption of alcohol, tobacco use, stress

• Infectious agents, certain medical treatments, excessive sun exposure, exposure to certain chemicals

• Viruses

• Hormones

• Radiation

Genetic Risks

• About 5% of cancers thought to be genetic

• Oncogenes – cancer causing genes

• Breast, stomach, colon, prostate, uterus, ovaries & lungs appear to run in families

• Some blood cancers also have a familial link

• Familial however does not mean genetic

Occupational & Environmental Risks

• Asbestos

• Mining inhalation of certain fibres

• Chemicals, certain dyes, herbicides, pesticides

• Ionizing radiation – x-rays, UV

• Non IR - radio waves, cell phones, microwaves computer screens, TVs etc etc

• Chemicals in food – sodium nitrate

Infectious Diseases

• Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and liver cancer

• HPV – Human Papillomavirus and cervical cancer

Types of Cancers

• Carcinomas – epithelial tissues covering body surfaces and lining most body cavities are the most common sites for cancers. They affect the outer layer of skin and mouth as well as mucous membranes

• Spread through the blood & lymphatic systems

• Form solid tumours

Contd

• Sarcomas – occur in the middle layer of tissues - bones, muscles and general connective tissue

• Spread primarily via the blood in the early stages of disease

• Less common but more virulent than carcinomas

• Form solid tumours

Contd

• Lymphomas – develop in the lymphatic system, and spread this way

• Also form solid tumours

Leukaemias

• Cancers of the blood forming regions of the body, particularly bone marrow and spleen

• Non-solid tumours

• Characterised by an abnormal increase in WBC

Detecting Cancer• Screening Programmes

• Earlier diagnosis the better the prospect

• X-Rays

• Ultrasound

• Endoscopy

• MRI

• CT

• Lab Tests

Cancer Treatments

• Surgery

• Radiotherapy

• Chemotherapy

• Alternative treatment options

-In New Zealand

• Cancer remained the leading cause of death in NZ, for both males & females accounting for 29% of deaths

• Main causes of cancer deaths for males

- Lung

- Colorectal

- Prostate

• Main causes of cancer deaths for females

- Lung

- Breast

- Colorectal

Leading Cause of Death• Lung cancer accounted for the most deaths

in 2008, 19% of all cancer deaths, followed by colorectal then prostate & breast

• Main causes of cancer deaths for males

- Lung (19.0%)

- Colorectal

- prostate

• Main causes of cancer deaths for females

- Lung (19%)

- Breast

- Colorectal

Other facts-NZ Cancer Registry set up in 1948

-Cancer Registry Act 1993

-Cancer Registry Regulations 1994

-Cancer Control Strategy 2003

-Since 2008 MoH has led a systematic & coordinated approach through a national programme involving DHBs

-Bowel cancer projected to increase by 15% for males and 19% for females in 2016

Continued

• New Zealand’s mortality rate due to cancer is high by international standards

• NZ – 3rd highest bowel cancer death rate in OECD for women and 6th for men

References

• Cancer: New Registrations and Deaths 2008. retrieved Jan 25th 2012 from Ministry of Health. May 2011 Cancer: New Registrations and Deaths http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/cancer-reg-deaths-2008

• Donatelle, R. J. (2011) Health: The basics.(Green ed.) San Francisco: Pearson Education