Cancer develops when there are changes to the DNA (mutations) in a cell that allow it to grow out of control. Cancer cells can then crowd out normal cells or invade body tissues. Radiation, carcinogens, infections, and your genetic makeup can increase your risk of mutations that lead to cancer.
Most people don't realize that cancer is preventable in many cases. Understanding cancer causes and risk factors is the first step in cancer prevention.
Common causes
According to the American Cancer Society and Cancer Institute, the most common causes and risk factors for cancer are:
• Smoking and tobacco use
• Alcohol
• Lack of physical activity
• Overweight or obese
• Diet
• Exposure to the sun
• Exposure to radiation
• Viral and other infections
• Exposure to carcinogens
• Family history and genetics
• Chronic inflammation
• Hormonal
• Immunosuppressive
• Year old
Exposure to the Environment
Your surroundings can increase your risk of developing cancer. Carcinogens — substances and exposures that can lead to cancer — can be found in homes, workplaces, and outdoors. Tobacco use and smoking fall into this category.
Another example is exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals found in some older homes and industrial building materials that can cause mesothelioma, a type of cancer of the lining of the lungs. People exposed to high amounts of benzene (found in gasoline, cigarette smoke, pollution) have an increased risk of cancer.
There are many other substances in the environment that can be dangerous to you. Be careful with chemicals in your home and always take time at work to read the information provided about the chemicals you work with.
Exposure to radiation
The most common form of radiation exposure is from the sun. Another environmental exposure is radon gas, which can be present in soil and can build up in your home. You may also be exposed due to imaging or medical treatment.
Infection
Infections can increase cancer risk in a number of ways. Some viral infections directly affect DNA to produce cancerous changes. Other infections can lead to long-term inflammation, increasing the risk of disease. Other infections, such as HIV, suppress the immune system, so it cannot effectively protect against cancer growth.
Human papillomavirus - HPV increases the risk of cancers of the cervix, anus, vulva, and vagina. Studies suggest that the papilloma virus also plays an important role in many head and neck cancers, and ongoing research is looking at its possible role in other cancers. The papillomavirus vaccine is recommended for girls and boys starting at age 11 or 12.
Year old
Although cancer can occur at any age, the average age for a cancer diagnosis is between 65 and 74, depending on the type.
Over the years, you've been exposed to more carcinogens and inflammatory processes, and more time for slow-growing cancers to become symptomatic. Your body also becomes less efficient at finding and destroying cancerous and precancerous cells.
That said, there are some forms of cancer that are more common in children, including bone cancer and some forms of leukemia.
Genetic
Genes are the ultimate cause of all cancers, but in most cases these are acquired mutations that are not passed on to your children. You have "healthy" genes, but a mutation occurs in a cell and can then grow out of control. There is often a latent susceptibility to cancer due to inactivation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.
But in 5% to 10% of cases, cancer is caused by a family cancer syndrome that can be inherited. If you have a family history of cancer, such as breast cancer, it's important to take additional precautions. Genetic tests are available for some inherited cancers.
Note: Remember that if you have a family history of cancer, it does not mean you will develop it. You just have a greater chance of developing it (a genetic predisposition).
Lifestyle risk factors
Many of the main risk factors for cancer are ones that you can control. This can be especially empowering for those who are aware of certain tendencies.
Cigarette
Smoking not only affects the lungs but also increases the risk of many cancers. In fact, smoking causes 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States and is responsible for 80% of lung cancer deaths...
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