Cause of Cancer.

• First know that cancer originates in a cell.
• Secondly, how does a normal cell get converted into a cancer cell? Every cell contains DNA. When the DNA structure of the cell gets altered or the DNA of the cell undergoes mutation ( a permanent change in the DNA sequence of the gene), you are looking at cancer.
• This mutation, which results in cancer, is caused by what are called as mutagens. Since these mutagens cause cancer, they are called carcinogens. This is the cause of cancer or origin of cancer.
• Cancer cannot be transmitted from one person to another except rarely, through (a)pregnancy from mother to baby and (b)by organ transplant from donor to recipient.
• Cancer is more widespread than you think. Reading cancer statistics will tell you that.
• To sum up the above, it is the changes at the microscopic levels in the cell that cause cancer.

What are the Causes of Cancer.

This mutation in the cell, which cause cancer, is broadly due to two main contributory factors:

1)      Family History of Cancer.

2)      Certain environmental factors. These are the cancer risk factors.

Picture showing what can cause cancer.

Causes of Cancer|Cancer Risk Factors.

1) Cancer causes of genetic factors.

Less than 10% of the cancers are caused by genetic predisposition to cancer. Such families carry mutated genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, which make them more prone to cancer. A look at your immediate ancestral medical history on your father’s and mother’s side will give you an idea about you being prone to cancer or not. Also examine the medical history of your current relatives to determine about you being prone to cancer or not. 3% to 10 % of all cancers are a result of familial tendency to cancer.

2) Cancer due to exposure to radiation.

Repeated and over exposure to radiation causes cancer. This may be due to treatment by radiation of cancer itself — or a radiologist or a x-ray technician who is exposed to radiation of x-ray regularly and does not take precautions to protect himself. Exposure to radiation increases risk of developing leukemia, cancer of lung, breast, thyroid, stomach, testicles etc. Incidence of cancer due to radiation is 10%.

3) Exposure to UV rays of sunlight can cause cancer.

Exposure to UV rays either of the sun or tanning booths or sun lamps can cause melanoma or other forms of skin cancers. If you are in an occupation that requires unusual exposure to sun, you could protect yourself with proper headgear and clothing. Using sunscreens will also be helpful.

4) Certain Chemicals cause cancer.

Long term exposure to chemicals (as in an occupational hazard) can cause cancer, especially of the lungs due to inhalation of chemical vapour or direct contact. Such chemicals include pesticides, benzene, nickel, uranium, nickel, glass wool, rock wool and radon.

5) Certain viruses, bacteria and parasites cause cancer.

Infections caused by certain virus, bacteria and parasite cause cancer.

• Viruses which cause cancer are called oncovirus. These viruses include those that cause hepatitis B and C, HPV virus and Epstein Barr virus which causes infectious mononucleosis.
• Bacteria such as H. Pylori, which are responsible for stomach ulcers, can cause stomach cancer.
• Parasites such as liver flukes and Schistosoma haematobium can cause squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Incidence: The world wide average of cancer due to these infections is 18%. It varies wildly among varies regions. For example the incidence in Africa is 25% while in the developed countries, it is less than10%.

6) Cancer Causes of Certain lifestyles habits.

• Diets that cause cancer are those that are low in vegetables, fruits and whole grains and high in red or processed meats. A high salt diet causes gastric ulcer, as is seen in Japan. Habit of chewing betel nut can cause oral cancer. Aflatoxin B1 is a highly toxic carcinogen, which contaminates crops and the milk of animals which have been fed these contaminated feeds. Aflatoxin B1 causes cancer of the liver.
• A sedentary life without physical activity can cause cancer due to its adverse and negative effect on the immunity and the endocrine system of your body.
• Obesity is a contributory factor to many types of cancer. Being over weight has been associated with 14% to 20% of cancer deaths.

7) Hormonal imbalance causes cancer.

Higher levels of estrogen and progesterone are associated with breast cancer in women. Similarly higher levels of testosterone are associated with prostrate cancer. These higher levels of hormones may be due to a hereditary trait or obesity or hormone replacement therapy.

Smoking causes cancer.

Smoking is the leading cause of cancer. Tobacco smoke contains more than 50 carcinogens and is the cause of cancer deaths in 30% of cancer cases in the developed countries. 90% of lung cancers are caused by tobacco smoking. Smoking can cause cancer of the lung, mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder and pancreas. About 10% of the smokers die of cancer and the heavier you smoke greater is the risk of cancer.

9) A Deficient Immune System causes cancer.

Persons who have been infected by the HIV virus have a higher incidence of cancer, thus indicating that a poor immunity results in cancer. Not only AIDS but other disorders which lower the immunity are associated with greater incidence of cancer, eg  common variable immunodeficiency and IgA deficiency.

10) Alcohol can cause cancer.

Alcohol is a chemical carcinogen which stimulates the rate of cell reproduction. This higher speed of cell division leaves no time for the repair enzymes in the body to repair a damaged DNA of the cell. As a result, this increases the chances of mutation and cancer.

10) Increasing Age increases cancer risk.

Advanced age increases your risk to cancer due to lesser efficiency of immune system due to ageing, which therefore cannot repair the damaged cells. Accumulation of these damaged cells can cause a mutation to occur.

Action steps:

Cause of Cancer and the Cancer Risk Factors are explained above. Now that you know what can cause cancer, it would do well for you to keep these factors at bay and a periodic cancer check up would be helpful especially for those with a family history of cancer. Diagnosing and treating cancer at its early stages is the best way to fight it.

Related posts:

1. Screening for Cancer|Gene Testing For Cancer.
2. Types of Cancer.
3. Diet and Foods to Prevent Cancer. (Part 3)
4. Breast Cancer Symptoms with Breast Cancer Pictures.