Cancer is one of the scariest and horrible diseases that can give goosebumps to anyone just by its name. Billions of people lose their lives every year due to this deadly disease. It usually occurs due to abnormal cells that spread across every body part and destroy the body. It is the second-leading cause of death across the globe that shows the seriousness of this disease. But as a result of the latest technological advancements, doctors have come up with different treatment methods. It has improved the survival rate big time, but cancer treatment still depends on many factors.
To get rid of cancer entirely from your body, diagnosis at the right time is very important. Because once cancer cells start developing in your body, they grow rapidly. So, suppose you constantly have coughs, fatigue, a lump on the body, and shortness of breath. In that case, you must consult the doctor immediately. It will help you determine the root cause of the issue, and if tumor cells are growing in your body, you can begin the treatment on time. Let’s find out what are the true causes of cancer or is it just bad luck.
Causes of Cancer
It is hard to say that there is only one cause of cancer. According to medical experts, many factors are linked to different cancers. Carcinoma, lymphoma, melanoma, mesothelioma, sarcoma, and brain tumor are common types of cancer. Various causes are associated with each cancer type based on the individual’s environmental, genetic, and constitutional features.
Cancer mainly occurs due to changes in the DNA within cells. The DNA is packed into individual genes that instruct cells to perform particular functions. If an error occurs in these instructions, the cell can stop its normal functioning and make the cell cancerous.
Cancer can affect any body part. Whether it is lungs, kidneys, or brain, the growth of cancer cells can start anywhere in your body. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor diet are common causes of lung and kidney cancer. All cancer causes and factors vary according to the habits of individuals. Also, the immune system of every individual is different, so the condition of having cancer doesn’t need to be the same for every individual.
The gene mutation that occurs in the body of cancer patients can be due to different reasons. It can be due to genetics, as anyone can have a genetic mutation by birth. On the other hand, a gene mutation usually grows in the patient’s body after birth. This mutation can occur due to viruses, hormones, smoking, lack of physical activity, and chronic inflammation.
So, considering all the causes above-mentioned, you should have the right awareness about your family’s medical history. Also, you may take care of your health by maintaining a balanced diet and focusing on physical fitness. It mitigates the risk of cancer and will help you prevent the growth of harmful cells in your body.
Risk Factors of Cancer
A risk factor is anything that can increase the chances of developing any disease. You should know about the cancer risk factors as they can affect your immune system, deteriorating your condition. Firstly, you should consider the lifestyle factors that can cause cancer. A diet containing high fats, smoking many cigarettes daily, and dealing with toxic chemicals are common risk factors. So, you have to adopt the right lifestyle to reduce cancer risk.
Family history is another crucial risk factor that you cannot afford to overlook. If your father, brother, or anyone in the family had cancer before then, you have to be extremely cautious. There is a possibility that cancer can exist in different forms. So, you have to beware of such factors.
If you are exposed to different viruses, they can also form cancer in your body. HIV and Epstein-Barr viruses that cause AIDS can develop childhood cancers like non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin. Due to these viruses, the formation of other cells occurs that eventually causes cancer.
You cannot ignore the environmental factors such as exposure to different fertilizers and pesticides. There have been cases where patients are residents of such industrial areas exposed to such chemicals. Everyone can’t change the area of residency, but you can take precautions to avoid any virus. Wearing a surgical mask and protective goggles can keep you safe.
Conclusion
In the light of the information mentioned above, we can say that certain factors are involved in cancer beyond our control. So, to some extent, it is bad luck if someone is diagnosed with this scary disease. But at the same time, it is in our hands to keep ourselves safe from such factors that can lead to cancer. Suppose you have a past family history of cancer. In that case, you have to be careful regarding your diet, physical fitness, and exposure to certain harmful chemicals. It will help you minimize cancer risk and live a healthier life.
