80% are considered idiopathik- meaning the cause is
unknown. There are several risk factors that increase the chance of cancer:
Internal factors
Age: The most
important risk factor for cancer is growing older. Most cancers occur in people
over the age of 65. However, people of all ages, including children, can get
cancer, too.
Inherited conditions: Some families are more susceptible to get certain
cancers. Remember you cannot inherit
cancer it’s just that you may be more susceptible to get it.
External factors
A. Lifestyle habits
Smoking: tar from cigarettes can lead
to the cancer of 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).
Diet: high fat, high cholesterol diets increase risk. Studies suggest that
people whose diet is high in fat have an increased risk of cancers of the
colon, uterus, and prostate.
Obesity: Lack of physical activity and being overweight are
risk factors for cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, and uterus.
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.
B. Viruses
Hepatitis B
and hepatitis C viruses: Liver cancer can develop after many years of
infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
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.
C. Chemicals: Formalin, carbide.
D. Radiation:
People exposed
to radiation like X Rays, UV light may have an
increased risk of cancer, especially leukemia and cancers of the thyroid, breast, lung, and stomach.
Ionizing radiation can cause cell damage that leads to cancer.
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