Download Cancer and Related Terms: Definitions and Potential Prevention and Treatment Methods and more Quizzes Health psychology in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 cancer DEFINITION 1 A set of diseases in which abnormal body cells multiply and spread forming a tumor Benign (noncancerous); malignant (cancerous) The second leading cause of U.S. deaths TERM 2 carcinogen DEFINITION 2 A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer. TERM 3 carcinoma DEFINITION 3 cancer of the epithelial cells that link the outer and inner surfaces of the body (breast, prostate, lung, and skin cancer) TERM 4 cartenoids DEFINITION 4 Light-absorbing pigments that give carrots, tomatoes, and other food their color and are rich in antioxidants Nurses Health Study: Women who consumed 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables were 23 percent less likely to develop breast cancer TERM 5 guided imagery DEFINITION 5 The use of one or more external devices to assist in relaxation and the formation of clear, strong images How Might Imagery Help? The body reacts similarly to sensory events, whether real or imagined Imagery triggers a state of relaxed concentration that increases sensitivity to health-promoting images Using imagery gives the patient an increased sense of control and a decreased sense of helplessness over their treatment and disease May trigger a placebo effect involving health-enhancing physiological changes TERM 6 immune surveillance theory DEFINITION 6 The theory that cells of the immune system play a monitoring function in searching for and destroying abnormal cells TERM 7 immunocompetence DEFINITION 7 The overall ability of the immune system, at any given time, to defend the body against the harmful effects of foreign agents TERM 8 immunotherapy DEFINITION 8 Immunotherapy is a medical term defined as the "treatment of disease by inducing, enhancing, or suppressing an immune response". TERM 9 leukemia DEFINITION 9 Cancer of the blood and blood-producing system TERM 10 lymphoma DEFINITION 10 Cancer of the bodys lymph system; includes Hodgkins disease and non-Hodgkins lymphoma