Cancer: Questions And Answers

1. According to your textbook, how is cancer defined?

According to the textbook cancer is actually a group of diseases that are characterized by cells that can grow out of control and individually, and may attack other tissues and organs. (Page 404)

2. What proportion of cancer deaths are thought to be related to body weight, poor nutrition and inactivity?

According to researchers it is estimated that one third of all cancer deaths that are thought to be related to body weight, poor nutrition and inactivity. (Page 407)

3. Does Sara’s activity level influence her risk for cancer? Explain and support your answer.

If we take in consideration that her father had a heart attack of age 50 and her current blood work results it is believed

that Sara’s current level of activity is high for risk cancer. Other factors we can add are stress, work environment, physical activity and her current weight. Knowing these factors make Sara a considerable candidate for cancer.

4. Explain 2 ways that antioxidants are thought to reduce cancer risk.

Two ways that antioxidants are thought to reduce cancer risk are because they enhance the immune system, inhibit cancer cell growth and can prevent oxidative damage to the blood cells.

5. What 2 vitamins function as antioxidants? Review Sara’s intake and adequacy of each. Is she meeting her needs? Explain and support your answer.

Two vitamins that function as antioxidants are vitamins E and vitamin C. Sara’s current intake of vitamin E is 5 mg AT that results that she is under taking because her target should be at 15 mg AT. Also, Sara’s current intake of vitamin C is 59 mg AT and her target is 75 mg AT that she is also under taking the vitamin C.

6. What are phytochemicals and why should foods high in phytochemicals be included in our diets?

Phytochemicals are the plant chemicals is believed to protect the plants from pests, UV radiation that they capture and the oxygen they produce. We should include foods that are high in phytochemicals in our diets because they help us to reduce the risk of many diseases. They also are beneficial to reduce inflammation, impede the initiation and progression of cancer, combat infections, protect us against cardiovascular disease and inhibit lipid synthesis.