Common Cancers Practice Questions
20 free Common Cancers practice questions for the NCLEX Exam. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide?
- A Lung cancer
- B Colorectal cancer
- C Breast cancer
- D Ovarian cancer
Correct answer: Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide according to global statistics.
What age threshold is commonly recommended for colorectal cancer screening in average-risk adults?
- A Age 30
- B Age 40
- C Age 45
- D Age 60
Correct answer: Age 45
Average-risk adults should begin colorectal cancer screening at 45. The American Cancer Society lowered its recommendation from 50 to 45 in 2018 and the US Preventive Services Task Force followed in 2021, both in response to rising incidence in adults under 50. Screening continues to 75, with individual decisions from 76 to 85, and people with a family history or inflammatory bowel disease start earlier.
What is the major modifiable risk factor for Lung cancer?
- A Family history only
- B Obesity
- C Cigarette smoking
- D High-fat diet
Correct answer: Cigarette smoking
Smoking is the predominant modifiable risk factor for lung cancer and contributes substantially to its global incidence.
Which statement is correct regarding Prostate cancer in men?
- A It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide.
- B It occurs only rarely in men who are older than 65 years.
- C It is the most commonly diagnosed organ cancer in men worldwide.
- D It is screened for without any associated medical controversy.
Correct answer: It is the most commonly diagnosed organ cancer in men worldwide.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed organ malignancy in men globally; its incidence rises with age and its screening (PSA) remains debated.
Which breast cancer classification refers to cancerous cells confined within the breast ducts without invasion of surrounding tissue?
- A Invasive ductal carcinoma
- B Lobular carcinoma
- C Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- D Metastatic breast cancer
Correct answer: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
DCIS refers to cancerous cells confined within the breast ducts without invasion of surrounding tissue.
Which symptom is commonly associated with early lung cancer presentations?
- A Persistent cough that worsens over time
- B Sudden leg swelling without respiratory symptoms
- C Only night sweats with no respiratory symptoms
- D Frequent nose bleeding alone
Correct answer: Persistent cough that worsens over time
A cough that does not go away and worsens is a common early symptom of lung cancer.
What role does screening for precancerous polyps play in colorectal cancer?
- A It has no measurable effect on colorectal cancer outcomes
- B It is performed only after symptoms have already developed
- C It detects and removes polyps, reducing progression to cancer
- D It is recommended only for adults younger than 30 years
Correct answer: It detects and removes polyps, reducing progression to cancer
Colorectal screening can detect and remove precancerous polyps before they progress to malignancy, which is why it reduces incidence and mortality.
What is accurate regarding PSA testing for prostate cancer screening?
- A PSA testing is universally recommended for every man starting at age 30
- B PSA screening is free of controversy and is always beneficial to patients
- C PSA screening is controversial and should be individualized by risk
- D PSA is a screening test used exclusively in women
Correct answer: PSA screening is controversial and should be individualized by risk
PSA screening involves weighing benefits and harms; current guidance emphasises individualized, shared decision-making based on the patient's risk.
Why does hormone receptor status matter in breast cancer treatment?
- A Hormone receptor status affects only the cosmetic outcome of surgery
- B Receptor-positive cancers may respond to endocrine (hormonal) therapy
- C Every breast cancer is uniformly hormone receptor-negative
- D Receptor status has no bearing on the choice of systemic therapy
Correct answer: Receptor-positive cancers may respond to endocrine (hormonal) therapy
Estrogen or progesterone receptor-positive breast cancers may be treated with endocrine therapy, so receptor status directly guides treatment planning.
Which subtype is more common in lung cancer pathology?
- A Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC)
- B Mesothelioma
- C Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- D Lymphoma of lung
Correct answer: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the predominant subtype, comprising the majority of lung cancer cases.
Which modifiable risk factor is strongly associated with colorectal cancer?
- A Young age under 30
- B Low-fibre diet and sedentary lifestyle
- C Having no family history
- D Living in rural area only
Correct answer: Low-fibre diet and sedentary lifestyle
Modifiable lifestyle factors like diet low in fibre and sedentary behavior are linked to increased colorectal cancer risk.
Which statement about survival in prostate cancer is correct in the U.S.?
- A The 5-year survival rate is under 50% for all men
- B Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it
- C Survival is the same regardless of stage at diagnosis
- D Only men under 50 survive
Correct answer: Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it
Many men diagnosed with prostate cancer will not die from the disease; for localized stages, survival is excellent.
Why may some breast cancers not present with a lump?
- A Because a palpable lump is always the only possible sign of breast cancer
- B Because screening mammography can detect cancer before any lump forms
- C Because early breast cancer never produces any symptom at all
- D Because any lump that is felt should simply be dismissed
Correct answer: Because screening mammography can detect cancer before any lump forms
Early breast cancer may not cause a palpable lump; mammography can detect it before a lump appears, allowing earlier and more effective treatment.
What symptom should raise concern in a patient suspected of colorectal cancer?
- A Occasional mild indigestion after large meals
- B A persistent change in bowel habit, such as new constipation or narrowing of stool
- C Regular bowel movements with no change in pattern
- D A mild intermittent headache without other symptoms
Correct answer: A persistent change in bowel habit, such as new constipation or narrowing of stool
A persistent change in bowel habits, including new constipation or narrowing of the stool, can indicate colorectal cancer and warrants evaluation.
What environmental exposure should be included in lung cancer prevention teaching?
- A Drinking chlorinated municipal water
- B Living at high altitude
- C Regular use of scented household candles
- D Exposure to asbestos or radon gas
Correct answer: Exposure to asbestos or radon gas
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and the leading cause among people who have never smoked, and asbestos exposure multiplies risk sharply, especially in smokers. Both belong in prevention teaching alongside home radon testing. Chlorinated municipal water, altitude and scented candles are not established lung carcinogens.
Which demographic group has notably higher incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in the U.S.?
- A Asian men in Asia
- B African American men
- C Women over age 70
- D Children under age 15
Correct answer: African American men
In the U.S., African American men experience higher incidence and mortality of prostate cancer compared with other ethnic groups.
What is important for colorectal cancer screening teaching?
- A Screening should begin only after symptoms such as bleeding appear
- B Colonoscopy is the only acceptable screening test for all patients
- C Screening begins at age 45 for average risk, with several options such as FIT
- D Screening is unnecessary unless there is a strong family history of cancer
Correct answer: Screening begins at age 45 for average risk, with several options such as FIT
For average-risk individuals, colorectal cancer screening is recommended starting at age 45 and includes various modalities beyond colonoscopy.
Which genetic factor significantly increases the risk of breast cancer?
- A BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
- B Having blood type O
- C A personal history of bone fractures
- D Being under twenty years of age
Correct answer: BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly increase the risk of breast cancer and often lead to discussions of risk reduction strategies.
Which statement about prognosis in lung cancer is valid?
- A All lung cancers carry a uniformly high survival rate
- B Many cases are diagnosed late, so prognosis is often poor
- C Prognosis is unaffected by the stage at diagnosis
- D Prognosis depends mainly on the patient's age, not the tumour
Correct answer: Many cases are diagnosed late, so prognosis is often poor
Prognosis in lung cancer is strongly related to stage at diagnosis; many cases are diagnosed late, impacting survival.
What combination of cancers covers the four most common cancers in the U.S. for adults?
- A Skin, thyroid, bone, leukemia
- B Breast, lung, prostate, colorectal
- C Cervical, brain, pancreatic, eye
- D Liver, bladder, stomach, esophageal
Correct answer: Breast, lung, prostate, colorectal
The most common cancers in the U.S. among adults include breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers.