Which of the following is not a cause of cancer?

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

Cancer is fundamentally a genetic disease caused by mutations in a cell's DNA, leading to abnormal, uncontrolled growth.
It is classified as a non-communicable disease (NCD), meaning it cannot be transmitted from person to person like an infection (e.g., flu, cold).
Therefore, exposure to or casual contact with a person who has cancer does not pose any risk of developing the disease.
The only exception is in the rare instance of organ or tissue transplantation from a donor with cancer, but donors are rigorously screened to prevent this.

Option A: This option is incorrect because both tobacco use and a family history of cancer are significant risk factors.
Option B: This option is incorrect as both alcohol consumption and smoking are major, well-documented causes of various cancers.
Option C: This option is incorrect because exposure to environmental pollution and radiation are known carcinogenic factors.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Etiology and risk factors of cancer, and the non-communicable nature of the disease as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A primary nursing role is patient and family education. It is vital to alleviate fears and stigma by explaining that cancer is not contagious.
Nurses must counsel patients on modifiable risk factors, such as smoking cessation, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and using sun protection, as part of primary prevention.
When taking a patient's history, a family history of cancer is a critical component for risk assessment and recommending appropriate screening (e.g., mammograms, colonoscopies).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative keyword in the question: 'not'. This means you are looking for the option that is false or does not fit with the others.
The question asks for what is NOT a cause of cancer.
Systematically evaluate each option based on your knowledge of cancer etiology.
Option A: Tobacco and family history are known risk factors. Eliminate it.
Option B: Alcohol and smoking are known risk factors. Eliminate it.
Option C: Pollution and radiation are known risk factors. Eliminate it.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Etiology and risk factors of cancer, and the non-communicable nature of the disease.
Stem keywords: cancer, cause
Lead-in keywords: not
Negative lead-in flag: The question uses the word 'not', which requires identifying the option that is NOT a cause of cancer.

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 53-55

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed pp. 285-287, 421-423

Practise the full P.CHO-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.