Chapter 13
Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen, in utero can trigger future
Ca. DES exposure increases risk of female reproductive tract Ca and male
reproductive impairment throughout childbearing tears. Increased risk for female
children to get BRCA before age 40.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy has been linked to increased risk for childhood
Ca including retinoblastoma and brain tumors. Smoking tobacco may cause cancers
in lungs, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, esophagus,
stomach, liver, colorectum, renal pelvis, penis, bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix and
uterus. May also cause Myeloid leukemia. Cigar or pipe smoking is related to cancers
of oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, esophagus and lungs, Pipe smokers
also have increased risk of cancer in lung, lip, throat, esophagus, larynx, pancreas,
colon and rectum. Smokeless tobacco is also associated with oral cavity, esophageal
and pancreatic cancers.
A recent hypothesis states the observed increased incidence of cancers such as
breast, endometrium, colon, liver, kidney and adenomas of esophagus may be
associated with obesity.
Alcohol interacts with tobacco smoke, increasing the risk of malignant tumors.
Ionizing radiation exposure places radiologists at risk for development of leukemia,
lymphoma and skin cancers.
HPV is the most common STI in the US and causes cervical CA.
Research shows that alcohol consumption has a convincing positive impact on the
risk of developing pharynx cancer.
Exercise has a probable impact on reducing risk of colon Ca.
Grade 1 overweight is a BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m2.
RF associated with high risk of melanoma include light-colored hair, eyes and skin,
inability to tan and tendency to freckle, sunburn and develop nevi.
Smoking, radiation exposure and obesity are environmental factors that can alter
frequency of genetic mutations.
Exposure to UVL can cause basal and squamous cell carcinoma.
Research supports a consistent link between alcohol consumption and breast,
colorectal and esophageal cancers.
Cancer stem cells use several developmental mechanisms for self renewal and appear
to be fundamental to the initiation and recurrence of tumors. Adequate consumption
of VIt A, Vit D, genistein, green tea, sulforaphane, theanine, curcumin and choline
may suppress stem cell renewal.
Wearing a hat and staying indoors can decrease exposure to UVL and diminish Ca
risk.
A patient whose partner smokes 1.5 ppd, a 10 year old employee of an asbestos fiber
manufacturer, a farmer whose equipment is primarily driven by diesel engines and a
10-year delivery employee for a paper manufacturing company are at increased risk
for developing respiratory and lung cancers.
Offering free smoking cessation classes to college students, providing a breast CA
screening at a senior center 2x/year and supplying low sugar, low-fat snacks at an
after-school tutoring program are targeted interventions that can reduce the
incidences of CAs worldwide and include primary prevention.
The nurse should include healthy eating, tobacco avoidance, impact of obesity and
age-appropriate exercise routines when discussing topics that are related to cancer
prevention strategies.