Deck 18: Epidemiology of Colon Cancer

Question 1

In 2018, colorectal (large bowel) cancer was diagnosed in 1,800,977 individuals and caused more than 861,663 deaths in the world population.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths among men (464,606 deaths in 2018) and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths among women (387,057 deaths in 2018).

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Colorectal cancer is much more common in developing countries than developed countries.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Colon cancer most often arises in the descending portion of the colon.

Question 5

Higher rates of colon cancer have been found in association with increased dietary intake of omega-6 fatty acids from beef, corn oil, or lard in the diet.

Question 6

Higher rates of colon cancer have been found in association with increased dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and olive oil.

Question 7

Denis Burkitt recommended intake of 40 grams of fiber daily for the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Question 8

Chronic exposure to tobacco and alcohol do not increase the risk of colon cancer.

Question 9

Colon cancer rates are highest near the equator.

Question 10

Hyperinsulinemia is a risk factor for the development of colon cancer.

Question 11

What percentage of colon cancers arise in the descending colon?

A) 35%
B) 45%
C) 55%
D) 65%

Question 12

Approximately 95% of malignant colon tumors are:

A) squamous cell carcinomas.
B) adenocarcinomas.
C) sarcomas.
D) lymphomas.

Question 13

The risk of colon cancer is inversely related to the intake of:

A) high intake of Omega-3 fatty acids.
B) high intake of Omega-6 fatty acids.
C) high intake of insoluble dietary fiber.
D) low intake of insoluble dietary fiber.
E) a and c are correct.

Question 14

Rates of colon cancer show what geographical gradient?

A) Rates increase with distance from the equator.
B) Rates decrease with distance from the equator.
C) Rates are higher in the northern hemisphere.
D) Rates do not show any geographical pattern.

Question 15

Approximately what percentage of colon cancer cases arise due to heritable germline mutations?

A) < 10%
B) 10-20%
C) 20-30%
D) 30-40%

Question 16

What drugs consistently show chemopreventive effects against colon cancer development?

A) Statins
B) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
C) Anti-hypertensive medications
D) Antidepressants

Question 17

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been found to increase the risk of all of the following forms of cancer except:

A) breast cancer.
B) endometrial cancer.
C) colon cancer.
D) None of the above is correct.

Question 18

All of the following factors may have contributed to the decline in colon cancer mortality in the United States during the past several decades except:

A) the increasing use of colonoscopy for screening.
B) improvements in therapy.
C) the increasing intake of fish oil.
D) the declining use of NSAIDs.

Question 19

Describe the global burden of colon cancer.

Question 20

Describe the pathogenesis and anatomic distribution of colorectal cancer.

Question 21

Discuss lifestyle risk factors that increase the risk of colon cancer.

Question 22

Discuss Burkitt's "High Fat Low Fiber" theory of colon cancer.

Question 23

Discuss genetic factors that increase the risk of developing colon cancer.

Question 24

Discuss insulin and insulin like growth factor (IGF) in the development of colon cancer.

Question 25

Discuss evidence for a role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of colon cancer.

Question 26

Discuss recent trends in colon cancer mortality in the USA and other developed nations including possible reasons for these trends.