CAUSES OF CANCER AND CANCER PREVENTION
Estimates show that annually there are over 14 million cancer cases
and 8 million cancer deaths worldwide, overwhelming evidence shows that many
malignancies are preventable.
Multiple modifiable cancer risk factors have been
identified --
(1)Tobacco -Tobacco use is
the most preventable cause of cancer and accounts for 21 percent of worldwide total cancer .
It is the strongest risk factor for lung cancer, increasing risk
10- to 20-fold. Smoking is also implicated as a risk factor for leukemia ,cancers of the
oral cavity, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx,
larynx, esophagus, pancreas cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, cervix cacner, kidney
cancer, large bowel cancer, and bladder cancer.
(2)Obesity -Excess
weight is associated with an increased risk of many types of cancer. Obesity has been
associated to cause 20 percent of all malignancies . Loss of excess weight has a
cancer preventive effect in many cancers, including esophageal adenocarcinoma, gastric cardia, colorectal,
hepatocellular, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, gallbladder, pancreatic cancer, renal cell cancer, thyroid
cancer, and postmenopausal breast cancers, multiple
myeloma, and meningioma.
(3)Alcohol -Excess alcohol
consumption increases the risk of multiple cancers. Alcohol act as an irritant, causing increased cell
production; as a transporter carrying carcinogens; as an inhibitor of DNA methylation or as
a prometabolite for identified carcinogens such as acetaldehyde .
(4)Diet -High intake of
dietry fat ,red meat is associated with cancer risk.Diet low in fiber ,fresh fruits and
vegetables has been implicated in cancer causation .
(5) Inactivity -Decreased
physical activity appears to increase the risk for cancer , a sedentary lifestyle is associated with 5 percent
of cancer deaths, lack of daily exercise increases the cancer risk .
(6)Infections - It is
estimated that 17 percent of all new cancers worldwide are due to infections . Viruses may increase
cancer risk .
(6.1)Human papillomavirus (HPV) with cervical and other anogenital
cancers
(6.2)Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) with hepatocellular carcinoma
)
(6.3)Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-I) with adult T-cell
leukemia
(6.4)Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-I) with Kaposi sarcoma as
well as with non-Hodgkin lymphoma
(6.5)Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) with Kaposi sarcoma and primary
effusion lymphoma
(6.6)Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with Burkitt lymphoma
(6.7)The bacterium Helicobacter pylori with gastrointestinal
malignancies including gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas
(6.8)Liver flukes with cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular
carcinoma
(7) Radiation � Ionizing
Radiation from any source and ultraviolet radiation from sun exposes for many cancers.
(8)Urban air pollution- Diesel
exhaust and particulate matter air pollution have been associated with increased risk of lung cancer. These
are discussed elsewhere
(9)Use of solid fuels .
(10)Contaminated injections in health care
settings � Trasmission of infection like HIV,Hepatitis B and C
(13)Food Adulteration �
Adultereted Milk ,Paneer ,artificial fruit and vegetable ripeners use .
How to prevent cancer �
- Avoid tobacco
- Be physically active- Regular exercise and yoga
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Take a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in
saturated/trans fat, red meat, and processed meat.
- Avoid alcohol
- Protection against sexually transmitted infections.
- Vaccination for girls and boys against HPV.
- Avoid excess sun exposure.
- Screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer regularly
.
