What
Causes Cancer?
 Understanding
the various causes of cancer has been an ongoing challenge for too many
years. For instance, getting an X-ray was once considered completely safe.
Today, scientists know that prolonged exposure to the type of radiation
in X rays, can lead to cancer.
 Cancer
develops from changes in the DNA, or genetic material, of the body's cells,
causing them to grow and reproduce uncontrollably. Scientists believe four
factors can promote these cellular changes: environment, diet,heredity,
andlifestyle.
  
Environment:
Ultraviolet
light or solar radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer.The
most common skin cancers are non-melanomas, which spread slowly and, if
detected in time, are likely curable. Excessive sun exposure is also associated
with melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, which can spread rapidly
to other body sites.
Of
all skin color types, fair skin people are most sensitive to skin cancers.dark
skin people, should take these precautions:limit
amount of sun exposure, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. wear
sunscreen and protective clothing. Radiation,
such as the kind in X rays, nuclear power plants, and nuclear weapons,
can also cause cancer. The risk of getting cancer depends on how much exposure
an individual gets. The average radiation dose in a single X ray is low,
so the risk is small.However,
because effects of radiation can accumulate over time, people should avoid
unnecessary exposures.
Some
cancer causing chemicals, have been launched into the environment through
air pollution. These cancer causing chemicals include:benzene
and vinyl chloride; which some factories discharge into streams, rivers,
and other water bodies. Though the amounts are small in human terms, they
become concentrated in fish and can cause cancer in them.When
people are in areas of high industrial pollution, water purification is
advised. Do not eat fish caught in polluted waters, since the fish might
also contain large amounts of the chemicals.
Some
people are exposed to carcinogens at work.The
first link between occupation and cancer, was noted in eighteenth century
England, where physicians saw high rates of cancer in men, who were chimney
sweeps in their youth. The physicians determined exposure to soot in the
chimneys had caused the cancer. Once the sweeps wore protective clothing
and routinely cleaned the soot off their bodies, the cancer rate dropped.Asbestos
is another occupational carcinogen. The association between lung cancer
and asbestos became clear in the 1950's; ten years later, regulations limiting
asbestos in the workplace were enacted.
Occupational
exposure might be related to up to 5% of cancer deaths.
Diet
Foods
such as hot dogs, bacon, ham, pickled meats, and fish, have preservatives
called; nitrites.Nitrites convert
to another chemical called; nitrosamines, which are known cancer causing
agents.
Researchers
have linked an increased risk of stomach cancer, to over consumption of
smoked or cured foods. Eating such foods only occasionally, is not harmful.
Researchers
have linked a diet high in calories and fat, to an increase in cancer.People
in the U.S., consume more fat than in other countries, resulting in a higher
incidence of breast cancer and colon cancer.Consuming
large amounts of refined sugars with a high fat diet, increases the risk
of developing colon cancer. Cutting back on fatty foods or using low fat
substitutes, lowers the risk of contracting these kinds of cancer.
Fruits,
vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, are low in fats, high in nutrients,
and contain ingredients that may reduce cancer risk.Carrots
are high in beta carotene, which metabolizes to form vitamin A. Diets rich
in beta carotene have reduced the occurrence of some cancers, includinglung,esophagus,stomach,bladder,
andbreast. Vitamins C and E,
found in lettuce and salad greens, help reduce cancer risks by decreasing
the formation of the carcinogenic nitrosamines.Fruits,
vegetables, and grains might protect against colon and rectal cancer because
they contain much dietary fiber. Fiber is indigestible plant material that
helps clean out the large intestine, preventing accumulation of fecal material
that might promote cancerous cell growth.
Heredity
Although
people cannot inherit most cancers, they can pass down a susceptibility
to developing cancer.Careful
cancer screening, cancer tests, and preventive measures, are advised if
the family history includes cancer.
Lifestyle
Cigarette
smoking is the major cause of cancer in the U.S., and leads to almost one
third cancer deaths in the U.S. Researchers directly link smoking to cancer
of the lung, mouth, throat, bladder, kidney,
and pancreas. Tobacco contains
many carcinogens that promote cell mutation and growth. Even breathing
secondhand smoke may be associated with an increase in lung cancer.
Too
much alcohol can lead to cirrhosis, a liver disease resulting from chronic
liver tissue damage. Cirrhosis can lead to liver cancer.Researchers
also relate excess alcohol consumption to mouth and throat cancers. Excessive
drinking combined with smoking increases this incidence.People
who exercise, have lower death rates from cancer, than do people who don't
exercise. Exercise reduces a person's fat ratio and improves immune system
function. Some studies show that exercise may prevent malignant cells from
spreading.
Experts
think that factors within our control might cause nearly 70% of cancers.
For example,more than 80% of
lung cancer patients are smokers.
Notice:
The information provided herein, should not be used for diagnosis or treatment
of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for
diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.
 
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