Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Risk Factors for Cancer

[Guest guest]

Good Morning!

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so during this time I will

be sharing tips, stories and information on breast health.

 

Each year, the American Cancer Society estimates the number of new

cancer cases (in general) and deaths expected in the United States in

the current year and compiles the most recent data on cancer

incidence, mortality, and survival based on incidence data from the

National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer

Registries and mortality data from the National Center for Health

Statistics. Incidence and death rates are age-standardized to the

2000 US standard million population. A total of 1,437,180 new cancer

cases and 565,650 deaths from cancer are projected to occur in the

United States this year.

 

 

Risk Factors For Cancer

 

Doctors often cannot explain why one person develops cancer and

another does not. But research shows that certain risk factors

increase the chance that a person will develop cancer. These are the

most common risk factors for cancer:

 

1.Growing older: The most important risk factor for cancer is growing

older. Most cancers occur in people over the age of 65. But people of

all ages, including children, can get cancer, too.

 

2.Tobacco: Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death. Each

year, more than 180,000 Americans die from cancer that is related to

tobacco use. Using tobacco products or regularly being around tobacco

smoke (environmental or secondhand smoke) increases the risk of

cancer. Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop cancer of

the lung, larynx (voice box), mouth, esophagus, bladder, kidney,

throat, stomach, pancreas, or cervix. They also are more likely to

develop acute myeloid leukemia (cancer that starts in blood cells).

 

3. Excess Sunlight: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation comes from the sun,

sunlamps, and tanning booths. It causes early aging of the skin and

skin damage that can lead to skin cancer. Doctors encourage people of

all ages to limit their time in the sun and to avoid other sources of

UV radiation.

 

4. Ionizing radiation: Ionizing radiation can cause cell damage that

leads to cancer. This kind of radiation comes from rays that enter

the Earth's atmosphere from outer space, radioactive fallout, radon

gas, x-rays, and other sources. Radioactive fallout can come from

accidents at nuclear power plants or from the production, testing, or

use of atomic weapons. People exposed to fallout may have an

increased risk of cancer, especially leukemia and cancers of the

thyroid, breast, lung, and stomach. Radon is a radioactive gas that

you cannot see, smell, or taste. It forms in soil and rocks. People

who work in mines may be exposed to radon. In some parts of the

country, radon is found in houses. People exposed to radon are at

increased risk of lung cancer.

 

5. Certain chemicals and other substances: People who have certain

jobs (such as painters, construction workers, and those in the

chemical industry) have an increased risk of cancer. Many studies

have shown that exposure to asbestos, benzene, benzidine, cadmium,

nickel, or vinyl chloride in the workplace can cause cancer. Follow

instructions and safety tips to avoid or reduce contact with harmful

substances both at work and at home. Although the risk is highest for

workers with years of exposure, it makes sense to be careful at home

when handling pesticides, used engine oil, paint, solvents, and other

chemicals.

 

6. Some viruses and bacteria: Being infected with certain viruses or

bacteria may increase the risk of developing cancer:

 

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs): HPV infection is the main cause of

cervical cancer. It also may be a risk factor for other types of

cancer.

 

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses: Liver cancer can develop after

many years of infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

 

Human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV-1): Infection with HTLV-1

increases a person's risk of lymphoma and leukemia.

 

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): HIV is the virus that causes

AIDS. People who have HIV infection are at greater risk of cancer,

such as lymphoma and a rare cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma.

 

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): Infection with EBV has been linked to an

increased risk of lymphoma.

 

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8): This virus is a risk factor for Kaposi's

sarcoma.

 

Helicobacter pylori: This bacterium can cause stomach ulcers. It also

can cause stomach cancer and lymphoma in the stomach lining.

 

Do not have unprotected sex or share needles. You can get an HPV

infection by having sex with someone who is infected. You can get

hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV infection from having unprotected

sex or sharing needles with someone who is infected.

 

You may want to consider getting the vaccine that prevents hepatitis

B infection. Health care workers and others who come into contact

with other people's blood should ask their doctor about this vaccine.

 

If you think you may be at risk for HIV or hepatitis infection, ask

your doctor about being tested. These infections may not cause

symptoms, but blood tests can show whether the virus is present. If

so, the doctor may suggest treatment. Also, the doctor can tell you

how to avoid infecting other people.

 

If you have stomach problems, see a doctor. Infection with H. pylori

can be detected and treated.

 

7. Certain hormones: Doctors may recommend hormones (estrogen alone

or estrogen along with progestin) to help control problems (such as

hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and thinning bones) that may occur

during menopause. However, studies show that menopausal hormone

therapy can cause serious side effects. Hormones may increase the

risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, or blood clots. A woman

considering menopausal hormone therapy should discuss the possible

risks and benefits with her doctor.

 

Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a form of estrogen, was given to some

pregnant women in the United States between about 1940 and 1971.

Women who took DES during pregnancy may have a slightly higher risk

of developing breast cancer. Their daughters have an increased risk

of developing a rare type of cancer of the cervix. The possible

effects on their sons are under study. Women who believe they took

DES and daughters who may have been exposed to DES before birth

should talk with their doctor about having checkups.

 

8. Family history of cancer: Most cancers develop because of changes

(mutations) in genes. A normal cell may become a cancer cell after a

series of gene changes occur. Tobacco use, certain viruses, or other

factors in a person's lifestyle or environment can cause such changes

in certain types of cells. Some gene changes that increase the risk

of cancer are passed from parent to child. These changes are present

at birth in all cells of the body. It is uncommon for cancer to run

in a family. However, certain types of cancer do occur more often in

some families than in the rest of the population. For example,

melanoma and cancers of the breast, ovary, prostate, and colon

sometimes run in families. Several cases of the same cancer type in a

family may be linked to inherited gene changes, which may increase

the chance of developing cancers. However, environmental factors may

also be involved. Most of the time, multiple cases of cancer in a

family are just a matter of chance.

 

9. Alcohol: Having more than two drinks each day for many years may

increase the chance of developing cancers of the mouth, throat,

esophagus, larynx, liver, and breast. The risk increases with the

amount of alcohol that a person drinks. For most of these cancers,

the risk is higher for a drinker who uses tobacco. Doctors advise

people who drink to do so in moderation. Drinking in moderation means

no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks

per day for men.

 

10. Poor diet, lack of physical activity, or being overweight: People

who have a poor diet, do not have enough physical activity, or are

overweight may be at increased risk of several types of cancer. For

example, studies suggest that people whose diet is high in fat have

an increased risk of cancers of the colon, uterus, and prostate. Lack

of physical activity and being overweight are risk factors for

cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, and uterus.

 

 

Many of these risk factors can be avoided. Others, such as family

history, cannot be avoided. People can help protect themselves by

staying away from known risk factors whenever possible.

 

If you think you may be at risk for cancer, you should discuss this

concern with your doctor. You may want to ask about reducing your

risk and about a schedule for checkups. Over time, several factors

may act together to cause normal cells to become cancerous. When

thinking about your risk of getting cancer, these are some things to

keep in mind:

 

Not everything causes cancer.

 

Cancer is not caused by an injury, such as a bump or bruise.

 

Cancer is not contagious. Although being infected with certain

viruses or bacteria may increase the risk of some types of cancer, no

one can " catch " cancer from another person.

 

Having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will get

cancer. Most people who have risk factors never develop cancer.

 

Some people are more sensitive than others to the known risk factors.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/cancer.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit

 

 

References:

1. U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer

Statistics: 2007 Incidence and Mortality. Atlanta (GA): Department of

Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2007.

 

2 Brod, S.A. Unregulated inflammation shortens human functional

longevity. Inflamm. Res. 2000 Nov; 49(11): 561-70.