Environmental And Lifestyle Factors: The Multiple Causes Of Cancer

For instance, smoking cigarettes is a preventable risk factor for lung cancer. Just because the carcinogens in the cigarettes can cause a disease does not mean that they are a disease. Obesity does not naturally lead to the symptoms of diabetes and hypertension, but is a factor that increases the risk of these diseases—similar to the relationship between smoking and lung cancer.

There are chemicals that are used in things such as pesticides and fertilizers, as well as cleaning products that have been linked to cancer. There have been studies that have shown that power lines can cause cancer. There has been evidence of cancer occurring in larger than average numbers among nonrelated children in certain geographical areas, neighborhoods and cities. Whether prenatal or infant exposure to these agents causes cancer, or whether it is a coincidence is unknown but many scientists theorize that there is a direct correlation to environmental influences in the area. Childhood cancers often occur or begin in the stem cells, which are simple cells capable of producing other types of specialized cells that the body needs. A sporadic cell change or mutation is usually what causes childhood cancer. (“Cancer in Children”) As mentioned, some cancers have been associated with repetitive exposures to specific environmental influences or risk factors. A risk factor is anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. A risk factor does not necessarily cause the disease, but it may make the body less resistant to it.

While there are several biological factors that have the ability to lead to cancer, genetics is the most currently researched. A study done by Bharaj, Scorilas, Giai and

There are many ways that you can get cancer. You can get cancer from smoking, sunlight, your diet, mold, viruses, and inheritance. Out of those factors, the most common cause of cancer today is smoking. All cancers are genetic because they are caused by the mutations that happen to the gene. Some common cancers that are

The main causes of this type of cancer are smoking, second-hand smoke, and environmental toxins.

Also, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) increases the likelihood of the precancerous cells developing into cancer. This occurs because HIV weakens the immune system, and a woman with HIV is unable to fight off HPV and precancerous abnormalities (2). Scientists have also found that smokers are possibly twice as likely to develop cervical cancer. Cigarettes release many chemicals that cause cancer (1). When a woman smokes a cigarette, these chemicals enter her bloodstream, and they are carried to all parts of the body. These chemicals are also believed to damage the DNA in cervical cells (2). Scientists are also examining the effects of Oral Contraceptives. No direct links have been found, but there is some statistical evidence showing that women that have taken Oral Contraceptives for over five years have a low risk of developing the cancer (2).

The radiation that is used can be powerful to damage the DNA that is in the cells of the body. Radiation can cause more mutations in the body, aside from those that are already present in the cells, these mutations can also be passed down towards more future generations. It can also cause unbalance in cell. The energy from the radiation travels to the body tissue, this can cause cell damage or cell death. In some cases there are no effects but in other cases the cell becomes abnormal and has mutations. This happens when the tissue of the body has absorbed a lot of energy. There is no answer for which is more common, environmental or genetic. They both play a role in cancer, for example the gene can be genetically passed on with the mutation but it can be prevented. Although there are the environmental factors that can cause that mutation to keep on growing in the life of the person who has it. The mutation that is already in the gene can be disrupted and grow out of control causing

Other external causes include environmental and occupational risks, including ionizing and non-ionizing radiation(Alison, 2001; WHO, 2009). Cancer can genetically arise from the exposure of these agents leading to alterations in cell’s DNA sequences(Faguet, 2015).

Most people know that smoking is one of the main causes of lung cancer. However, there are also other things that increase your cancer risk you are doing everyday. This includes breathing air full of smog to breathing the fumes from a running automobile or any gas powered engine.

The second cause is environmental issues that play a key factor in causing cancer. Air pollution and release of industrial waste products is a major cause for cancer. The air pollution is caused to adding of contaminated gases or air to the environmentthis includes Nitrogen di- oxide, carbon di-oxide, sulphur di-oxide etc. PAH- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons , formed by highly bonded aromatic compounds is danger aromatic gases results in lung cancer . the person who taking this contaminated through their breath for prolonged time got suffered by lung cancer. Lung- cancer is very risky and complicated one. The chemical compounds that are releasing from industries also responsible for bowel

There are many risk factors that will increase a person’s chances of developing cancer. Some you can control and some you cannot. Some risk factors are being overweight or obese, drinking alcohol, using birth control, smoking, starting menstruation before age 12, and going through menopause after the age of 55.

There is a recognized relationship between a group of risk factors and various cancers. Men and women with risk factors such as hypertension, high blood sugar, or high cholesterol would benefit from having regular cancer screenings. More people have metabolic syndrome now than, in years past, which coincides with the increase in deaths caused by cancer each year. Healthy diet plans help lower the chances of getting diagnosed with cancer. Unhealthy lifestyle choices are having a greater impact on adults more than ever

Smoking is a huge concern for people because it is the primary reason for lung cancer. “Eighty to ninety percent of lung cancer cases occur in smokers. Smoking has also been shown to be a contributory factor in cancers of the upper respiratory tract, esophagus, larynx, bladder, pancreas, and probably liver, stomach, breast, and kidney as well” Jacqueline L. Longe. Gale. (2010). Researchers also believe that secondhand smoking is also to lead to an increase chance of getting these types of cancer. Other causes of cancer are alcohol, which increase the chances of alcoholics getting liver cancer. Also many types of cancers could be passed down hereditary family lines.”A few cancers, such as the eye cancer retinoblastoma, a type of colon cancer, and a type of breast cancer known as early-onset breast cancer, have been shown to be linked to certain genes that can be tracked within a family. It is, therefore, possible that inheriting particular genes makes a person susceptible to certain cancers” Jacqueline L. Longe. Gale. (2010). Pollution has also been linked to cancer due to waste from corporations leaking out in the environment. The contamination of air, land, or water is linked to 1% of cancer deaths.”Several studies have shown a link between asbestos and cancer. Chlorination of water may account for a small rise in cancer risk” Jacqueline L. Longe. Gale. (2010). All

Cancer is caused inside the human body by changes or mutations to DNA in the cell. Mutations are able to command a healthy cell to grow and divide exponentially, all with the same mutation. Mutations lack the controls or tumor suppressor genes that tell them when to stop growing, thus allowing the cancer cells to multiply (Mayo Clinic Staff). These are just some of the mutations that are possible within cells, which can lead to cancer. Gene mutations can be inherited from parents, such as the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene. Both BRCA genes together account for 20- 25% of hereditary breast cancers (“BRCA1”). There are known cancer causing chemicals called carcinogens which people may be exposed to on a daily basis. A person may have a predisposition to cancer, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he or she will develop cancer. Occasionally, the inherited gene mutation is supplemented by the carcinogen, making a person more likely to develop cancer when exposed (Mayo Clinic

Aside from the obvious cause of lung cancer, which is smoking, there are several others. However, almost all of these can be avoided. Preventable risk factors include smoking marijuana, inhaling certain chemicals like gasoline fuel or diesel exhaust, undergoing radiation therapy, and having a poor diet. But, the American Cancer Society affirms that about 87% of lung cancer cases are a result of smoking tobacco, and that some of the other 13% are caused by secondhand smoke (11). Out of all the risk factors for lung cancer, smoking has the biggest impact. This is also ironic, as smoking is the easiest factor to avoid. Theoretically this should be the least prominent factor, as it is a voluntary decision to start smoking and is easier to avoid than any of the other factors. Yet, about 47.1 million people in the United States smoke (American Heart Association), and willingly put themselves at risk for lung cancer. At the same time though, people do not start smoking just because they want to develop lung cancer later in life; there are numerous factors that play into their decision. For example, people are influenced to smoke for reasons such as peer pressure, a way to deal with stress, and people they look up to that smoke (Bonas). They think it will help them relieve stress, or fit in, and they do not think about the consequences that come with their newfound hobby. Eventually smokers find that they cannot quit, for both physical and psychological