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Cancer Causes, Risk Factors
and Prevention
Throughout our lives healthy cells in our
bodies divide and replace themselves in a very controlled
fashion. Cancer starts when a cell is somehow altered
so that it multiplies out of control. A tumor is
a cluster of abnormal cells: Most cancers form tumors, but
not all tumors are cancerous. Benign, or non-cancerous
tumors, stop growing and do not spread to other parts
of the body and do not create new tumors. Malignant,
or cancerous tumors, crowd out healthy cells, interfere
with body functions, and draw nutrients from body tissues.
Cancer continues to grow and spread in a process called metastasis
- eventually forming new tumors in other parts of the body.
The term 'cancer' encompasses more than 100 diseases affecting
nearly every part of the body, and all are potentially life
threatening.
The four major types of cancer are:
carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma and leukemia.
Carcinomas - the most commonly diagnosed cancers,
originate in the skin, lungs, breasts, pancreas, colon, liver and
other organs and glands.
Lymphomas - are cancers of the lymphatic system.
Leukemias - are cancers of the blood and do not
form solid tumors.
Sarcomas - arise in bone, muscle or cartilage,
and are relatively rare.
Cancer has been recognized for thousands
of years as a human ailment, yet only in the past century has medical
science understood what cancer really is and how it progresses.
Cancer is a disease that occurs when the entire
body is imbalanced, the immune system is down, and normal protective
measures are insufficient. Cancer, like other chronic illnesses
has a high prevalence throughout the population, but unlike chronic
illness it has potentially fatal results. The percentage of people
developing cancer today is staggering.
The widespread fear of cancer partly stems
from the fact that few subtle symptoms are exhibited before
the cancer is quite advanced. Excessive fatigue, weight loss
not directly due to dieting, appetite loss and anemia are
very general signs that affect the entire body. Initial symptoms
depend more on the specific type of cancer and its location.
Any abnormal changes in the body should be investigated,
especially abnormal bleeding or lumps, and problems that develop
and persist, even headaches, numbness, or a cough or hoarseness.
Gradually developing but persistent digestive problems
or changes in the skin, especially a sore or mole
that suddenly itches, bleeds, or grows should be taken seriously.
Even though most lumps, fatigue and weight loss are
due to other problems, cancer should always be ruled out first.
We know that most cancers are easier to cure when
detected early. Because many cancers develop after
the age of sixty-five, subtle changes should not be
ignored as symptoms of old age, but investigated
further.
Change in bowel or
bladder habits
A sore that does not heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Obvious change in a wart or mole
Nagging cough or hoarseness
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Most cancers are preventable
The implications of good
nutrition should not be underestimated. Research has
found it to be directly related to the prevention and treatment
of a number of cancers especially breast, endometrial, prostate,
stomach, and intestinal cancer
Diets low in fibre, fruit and vegetables,
but high in saturated fats and meats provide an environment
conductive to cancer growth
Moldy and rancid foods, along with food
additives and pesticides have also been implicated as cancer
risks
Barbecuing meat, especially meat high
in fat, as well as cooking and the browning of foods at
very high temperatures increases the risk of cancer
Demographic studies show that people
on a predominantly natural, high vegetable diet are less
likely to develop certain kinds of cancer
Many nutrients (vitamins,
minerals,
essential fatty acids, antioxidants,
etc) are used in preventing and treating cancer (some examples:
the use of folic
acid in treatments for cervical dysplasia is well documented,
as is the use of vitamin
C and beta carotene to help prevent certain types of
stomach cancer, and zinc in the treatment of prostate cancer)
A positive and constructive attitude
towards life has been shown to decrease the likelihood and
severity of serious illnesses, including cancer
The fundamental cause of all cancer
is a change, or mutation, in the nucleus of a cell.
For a healthy cell to turn malignant, its genetic code must
be reprogrammed for constant, uncontrolled cell division.
Substances that either start or promote the process are
called carcinogens, and there are many types. Scientists
theorize that about 10 million of the 290 trillion cells
in a human body die and are replaced every second. With
such a high rate of cell activity, the potential for occasional
malignant cell mutation is high. In a healthy person, special
cells from the body's immune
system can somehow recognize mutant cells and destroy
them before they multiply. Nevertheless, some mutant cells
may occasionally evade such detection and survive, causing
cancer.
Because the causes of cancer are complicated,
experts speak in terms of 'risk factors'. Any habit, trait
or use of a substance that increases the odds of getting
cancer is a risk factor; and the risk for nearly all cancers
increases with age. Inherited or familial, predisposition
is a risk factor, although its influence varies
from case to case. Researchers continue to identify genes
that, when flawed, strongly predisposes a person to getting
a particular type of cancer. Such genetic predisposition
is considered an influential risk factor but by no means
guarantees that the person will develop the cancer.
Environmental risk factors relate to where
and how we live. Most common cancers are linked
to one of three environmental risk factors: smoking, sunlight,
and diet. Smoking is linked to cancer of the lung,
head and neck area, bladder, kidney, stomach, cervix, and
pancreas, as well as some leukemias. Excessive exposure
to sunlight is linked to skin cancer. Dietary factors are
associated with some cancers of the gastrointestinal tract,
and may be linked to others, such as cancer of the breast,
prostate and uterus. Eating habits suspected of promoting
cancer include: over consumption of alcohol, fat, and foods
that have been smoked, cured pickled or charred. Lack of
dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals is also
believed to be a risk factor.
Many substances in the environment
have been identified as carcinogens, but in most
cases a high level of exposure is needed to cause cancer.
Environmental carcinogens include chemicals, gases, substances,
water, foods, pesticides, tobacco smoke, cleaning products,
paints, and many industrial environments; excessive ionizing
radiation (the type in x-rays, nuclear radiation, and radioactive
wastes), and certain viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B, papilloma
(a form of breast lump) and Epstein-Barr (mononucleosis)
viruses.
Also, unresolved psychological stress
or grief and certain personality traits, like chronic feelings
of anger, resentment, bitterness, negativity and hatred
have been suggested as possible cancer risk factors.
All these factors may contribute to
cancer causation, yet cancer is not caused by any
single factor. Cancer results from 'multifactors'
of age, inherited predisposition, all around health and carcinogenic
exposure. For example, some people exposed to particular carcinogens
will develop cancer, while others exposed to equally to the
same carcinogens may not. And as far as we know, most people
who get a particular form of cancer are not strongly predisposed
genetically to the specific disease. Every individual's
cancer risk profile is complex and individually unique.
The best course of action to reduce your risk of developing
cancer within your lifetime is very simplistic, and yet very
effective. Live a healthier life! Period. Sounds hard? It
doesn't have to be. Small changes in your lifestyle
can tip the odds of developing cancer in your favor.
Follow a healthy diet - eat lots of fruits
and veggies - and don't forget to eat nuts and beans at every
opportunity!
Avoiding the over consumption of saturated fats,
like that fast food burger and fries that really taste great.
Occasional consumption of fast foods are alright, just don't
get carried away! Nowadays many of these types of restaurants
offer healthier choices, which taste just as good. Try a fruit
cup, a chicken caesar, or my favorite, a Mediterranean salad
with mixed greens and balsamic vinaigrette.
Consume plenty of soluble and insoluble fiber.
If you can't consume adequate amounts of fiber throughout
your daily routine consider taking a well balanced fiber supplement.
Exercise regularly. Even one or two leisurely
walks a week (for 15 minutes) can help keep you in shape,
which helps boost your body's natural immune defenses and
maintains your cardiovascular system.
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