What Causes Cancer
Cancer has gotten so much of attention over the years yet most people do not realize that even though cancer is curable in very few cases, it is preventable in most cases to a great extent. If you know what leads to the development of cancer, you can easily avoid these factors thus reducing your chances of suffering from the same. Here we have enlisted the causes of cancer and a few ways in which these can be prevented.
1. Tobacco
The National Cancer Institute states that 30% of the total deaths in the US caused by cancer are due to excessive smoking and for those who do not die, but suffer from cancer throughout their lives – 87% of such cases are affected solely by smoking. Tobacco damages not only your lungs, but can also affect the kidneys, the pancreas, the cervix and many a cases leads to myeloid leukemia. The moment you stop smoking, you are reducing your chances of cancer drastically.
2. Lack of Physical Exercise
Exercising your body for only half an hour everyday and 5 times a week can help to prevent cancer. Lethargy leads to obesity and that is one of the predominant causes of cancer and exercising, practicing yoga, indulging in aerobics or simply walking and jogging can help to reduce you chances of developing cancer. Obesity problems lead to development of cancer in the breasts, colon, prostate and lungs.
3. Genetics
Genetic factors are yet another cause of cancer development. If there are members in your family who have suffered cancer in different organs of the body, you stand very high chances of developing the same. Genetic cancer causes a mutated gene to pass on to the offspring. However if you have family members who have experienced cancer, it does not mean you will indefinitely develop the same but your chances are high.
4. Environmental factors
Exposure to asbestos is known to cause cancer in many people. Asbestos sedimentation in your system will give rise to mesothelioma that might eventually grow in to becoming cancer. Similarly exposure to benzene causes cancer in people too.
5. Unsafe Sex
Indulging in unprotected sex time and over again gives rise to a virus called HPV, which is a collection of over 90 viruses. HPV might lead to causing anal, cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer. There are laboratory tests to tell you if you have contracted the HPV virus so you can always check before rushing to a doctor for assistance.
6. Exposure to Sun
Ultraviolet rays of the sun cause skin cancer. Sunburn or tans, which you must always be very negligible of, is actually the result of cell damage. Wearing a sunscreen with a very high SPF value can help to avoid this risk. Try to avoid staying outdoors at times when the rays of the sun are hottest and hitting you directly. Being slightly more careful could help you to avoid fatal diseases such as cancer. After all, prevention is better than cure.
