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Understanding the lesser known risk factors of cancer

Understanding the lesser known risk factors of cancer

Cancer is the uncontrolled mutation of cells in the body. It can develop in most of the organs that govern metabolic, reproductive, digestive, and cognitive functions of the body. Most types of this progressive disorder cannot be cured. But early diagnosis, changes in daily nutrition, treatment, and lifestyle factors can positively help improve one’s outlook. It therefore becomes important to identify and avoid the following risk factors associated with common types of cancer.

Aging and family history
Increasing age is one of the risk factors for chronic complications. As adults get older, the body’s ability to defend and ward off diseases declines. Research indicates that most new cases of cancer have been prevalent in age groups of 65 and above. Breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer are among the major risks at this age. Furthermore, family members who are directly related can pass on certain genetic mutations that trigger cancer during old age.

Exposure to toxins
Exposure, be it direct or second hand, to toxins in the atmosphere and environment is also one of the major risk factors. Toxins and pollutants force the genetic composition of a person to change and trigger an unexpected mutation. These pollutants are often referred to as carcinogens, and are commonly found in the air, water, and even certain foods. Arsenic, asbestos, benzene, cadmium, formaldehyde, mineral oils, nickel, soot are all commonly prevalent in the environment. Any amount of exposure on a consistent basis increases the risk of cancer.

Unhealthy body mass index
Body mass index (BMI) is a score that indicates a person’s overall fitness by measuring the total body mass to one’s height. A high BMI indicates unhealthy nutrition and lifestyle choices, increased risk of cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, and even digestive problems. Over a period of time, these chronic ailments affect the functioning of vital organs and increase the risk of cancer developing in the kidneys, colon, rectum, pancreas, and esophagus. The higher a person’s BMI, the greater are the chances of these health complications that lower immunity and trigger hormonal imbalances that in turn cause changes in the genetic code. This leads to the mutation and abnormal multiplication of cells.

Severe infections
Certain viruses, bacteria, and parasites can disrupt the normal growth and function of healthy cells and bodily functions. Changes in brain activity is one example. The brain sends and receives signals from individual cells to regulate their growth and prevent active mutation. However, if this communication gets disrupted, it can trigger uncontrolled mutation due to faulty data relay. The major risk with viruses, bacteria, and parasites is that these can spread via blood or fluid exchange from one person to the other, quickly and undetected. The Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and HPV are diseases that spread via contact and can deeply affect a person’s immunity. If these infections are not addressed promptly, the risk of cancer increases greatly.

Side effects of immune suppression treatments
Anybody who undergoes major organ transplant surgery must be put on immunosuppression prescriptions to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ. These prescriptions strongly affect the body, lowering its ability to search and destroy cancer cells. Prolonged immunosuppression hinders the body’s ability to counter chronic triggers. The organs and bodily functions then become highly vulnerable to cancer progression. Transplants done at an older age are known to increase the severity of sarcomas.

Hormonal imbalance
Hormones have a vital role to play. They circulate within the bloodstream to deliver signals that govern vital functions. Hormones are equally important to maintain and support cognitive function that controls the overall metabolism. For example, estrogen and progesterone, two critical hormones found in women, are important for menstruation, pregnancy, and even during menopause. An imbalance in the regulation of these hormones increases the risk of endometrial or breast cancer. Hormonal imbalances also occur due to certain prescriptions that suppress or boost the strength of hormones to promote therapeutic relief. Women who have undergone a hysterectomy must rely on hormone replacement, as the ovaries are removed and they can no longer naturally produce estrogen to regulate functions.

Improper nutrition
Food acts as fuel for the body, so what one eats determines their overall health. Changes in daily nutrition may not directly trigger cancer but can increase the risk of certain health complications that eventually cause cancer. Healthy foods boost mood, cognitive function, and improve overall immunity. Processed foods, junk foods, excess sugar, excess salt, all trigger nutritional imbalances that directly affect a person’s metabolism. For example, cooking red meat on high heat releases certain compounds called HCAs and PAHs that can be bad for health. Additionally, a lack of antioxidant-rich foods in daily meals can trigger free radicals to rapidly mutate and destroy healthy cells in the body. Damage due to free radicals is associated with many common types of cancer. Regularly eating foods that contain artificial preservatives, additives, coloring, flavoring, can all impact digestive functions and indirectly affect metabolism. Not eating fruits, vegetables, and healthy calorie foods can trigger nutritional deficiency of vitamins that are necessary for cell growth and functioning.

Exposure to UV radiation
Excess exposure to sunlight can be bad as the ultraviolet radiation damages DNA of the skin cells, increasing the risk of different types of skin cancer. Melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, is prevalent among adults who have been overexposed to the UVA and UVB radiation found in solar particles. Manufactured radiation from exposure to X-Rays, CT scans, PET scans, or devices that emit high energy radiation also increases the risk of cancer. Exposure to these rays directly damages the DNA of healthy skin cells and causes skin cancer to develop rapidly.

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