Risk factors of cancer all people should know
1. Genetic predisposition: Certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer and breast cancer, often run in families. Other non-genetic (e.g. environmental) factors must be present for the cancer to develop. Having a family history of cancer does not necessarily mean you will develop cancer, but does however mean that you are at a higher risk. Knowing the risk factors and managing them can help prevent cancer.
2. Estrogen exposure (women): A woman is at increased risk for some gynecological cancers (e.g. breast or uterine cancer) if her system is exposed to too much estrogen, as this stimulates cell proliferation in these tissues. Factors that contribute to higher estrogen exposure include early menstruation and late menopause.
3. Carcinogenic chemicals: Chemical carcinogens such as asbestos, benzene, formaldehyde, and diesel exhaust are dangerous in high concentrations.
4. Tobacco smoke: Smoking causes 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States, making tobacco smoke the single most lethal carcinogen. Smoking can cause cancers in the lungs and other organs.
5. Ionizing radiation: Overexposure to ionizing radiation, such as X rays and nuclear radiation, can cause DNA injury that may lead to cancer.
6. Ultraviolet radiation: UV radiation coming from the sun especially ultraviolet B (UVB) ray damages DNA and cause 90 percent of all skin cancers.
7. Alcohol: People who drink alcohol heavily have a higher risk of mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, and liver cancer.
8. Carcinogenic foods: There are certain foods that contain carcinogens. Foods that should be limited include salted, pickled, and smoked foods, such as pickles or smoked fish, and meats treated with nitrites. Foods that should be eliminated from the diet include meats that have been charred over a grill, as the charred area is carcinogenic.
9. Unhealthy diet: A diet high in saturated fat (especially from red meat) is associated with several different types of cancer, including cancer of the colon, rectum, and prostate gland.
10. Free radicals: Free radicals are dangerous, highly reactive chemical compounds that can damage DNA and lead to cancer. They can be generated in a number of ways, including oxidation of polyunsaturated fats.
11. Biological carcinogens: This type of includes infections from certain viruses, bacteria or parasites. Some chronic infections are risk factors for cancer and have major relevance in low- and middle-income countries. Hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and some types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) increase the risk for liver and cervical cancer respectively. Infection with HIV substantially increases the risk of cancer such as cervical cancer. Infection with Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of stomach cancer.
12. Obesity: Researchers of American Heart Association reported that being overweight increases your chances for developing cancer by 50 percent. Women have a higher risk of developing cancer if they are more than 20 pounds overweight.
13. Ageing: Ageing is another fundamental factor for the development of cancer. The incidence of cancer rises dramatically with age, most likely due to a build up of risks for specific cancers that increase with age. The overall risk accumulation is combined with the tendency for cellular repair mechanisms to be less effective as a person grows older.
