Good Morning!
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Risk Factors for Cancer
October is National 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.
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