What Causes Cancer?

Did you know that doctors and scientists don't exactly know what causes many different types of cancer. Cancer research and prevention focuses on identifying things that may increase the risk of developing cancer, called risk factors. Risk factors are not necessarily the exact cause of cancer because some people with a risk factor might never develop that form of cancer. In the majority of cases, however, people with a specific risk factor do develop cancer. Also, some people who lack the particular risk factor associated with a type of cancer may develop it anyway. The presence or lack of a risk factor does not determine definitively that a person will or will not get cancer. However, the overwhelming viewpoint is that by reducing risk factors a person betters their chance of not developing cancer.

Many different categories of risk factors have been identified covering a range of lifestyle and dietary habits. Some risk factors can not be controlled, but the majority of risk factors can be controlled. The two main risk factors which a person has no control over are genetic factors and age.

Some cancers are found to be inherited. While this includes only a small amount of cancers, it has been found to be helpful when determining the risk a person has for developing certain types of cancer. The only way to find out if you carry a cancer gene is to be tested. If you have multiple family members who have a particular type of cancer, that is a good reason to be tested. Remember, only a small number of cancers are caused by heredity. Usually, a person should look into getting tested if the following are true:

- Two or more family members have cancer. These must be family members from the same side of the family, blood related, and with the same type of cancer.

- The cancer occurred before the age of 60.

- One blood-related relative has had two different types of cancer. This does not include cancer that has spread to a different part of the body. It means two separate types of cancer.

If these situations are present in your family then you may wish to get screened for a genetic cancer link. This type of testing generally involves a doctor looking over family history and calculating, based upon this information, the risk. Actual genetic testing is only available for breast, bowel and ovarian cancers.

Age is another risk factor that can not be controlled. Based upon research and analysis of cancer figures it has been determined that age raises the risk for cancer. People over the age of 60 are at the highest risk. In fact, people over the age of 65 account for two out of every three cancer diagnosed patients.

Other risk factors may be hard to avoid, such as exposure to viruses and chemicals. In some cases it is quite easy to avoid certain viruses and chemicals. Other times it is not so easy. It is difficult to avoid a risk factor if you are unaware that it may cause cancer. This is why becoming educated on cancer risk factors is important.

Viruses that cause cancer are often transmitted sexually or through the blood. The Human papillomavirus or HPV is one of the better known viruses that are sexually transmitted and can lead to cervical cancer. Blood viruses are most often transmitted through drug use.

Chemicals that cause cancer are called carcinogens. They alter the DNA in our body's cells increase the risk of developing cancer. Some carcinogens are thought to be more harmful than others. The level and length of time a person is exposed to a carcinogen also affects the risk of developing cancer. In most cases if a person limits their exposure to carcinogens they will keep the risk of developing cancer to a minimum. For some, this is easy, but for others it is almost impossible. Carcinogens are found almost everywhere and there are so many that it is difficult for a person to identify their exposure levels.

Many risk factors involve personal lifestyle choices that can be easily avoided. It is usually a matter of altering your lifestyle or changing your dietary habits to eliminate or reduce a risk factor.

Cigarette smoke, for example, is a carcinogen, but is considered differently due to the fact that it is something that can be controlled. Smoking has been directly linked to certain types of cancers. It also appears that even minimal exposure still raises a persons risk for cancer, so it is handled as a separate risk factor all together. It is estimated that every one out of three cancer cases are caused by smoking. Research is ongoing, but the evidence gathered backs up claims that smoking is a big risk factor for cancer, especially lung cancer.

Alcohol consumption is another controllable risk factor. The consumption of too much alcohol has been linked to increase the risk for some types of cancer. The risk posed by alcohol is based upon the amount of alcohol consumed. The recommended amount of alcohol ranges between two to six drinks per day based upon type and amount of alcohol and the gender and weight of the drinker.

Another controllable risk factor is weight. Obesity has been linked to many different cancers. The reason for this is the difference in hormone levels and other factors in the blood that increase the risk for cancer growth.

Too much exposure to sunlight, suntans and sunburns has been directly proven as a risk factor for skin cancer. Those who burn more easily, like redheads and blonds, are more prone to developing cancer from sunlight exposure. The suns rays are so harmful that no one is immune from the damage it can cause.

These are the main risk factors that have been identified. A person can do many things to lower their exposure to risk factors. While it is impossible to totally eliminate the chance of developing cancer, everyone can reduce their risk through lifestyle and dietary changes.

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