Risk Factors

Tiffany Calderon Del Carmen
Theme: The Risk Factors of Cancer
March 12, 2014. 
INGL 3101

      In this section I will be talking about the possible risk factors of cancer. The risk factors are different depending of types of cancer. Doctors often can’t explain why one person develops cancer and another doesn’t. But research shows that some of the risk factors increase the chance that a person will develop cancer.

First Article
     
       These are the most common risk factors for cancer: growing older, tobacco, sunlight, ionizing radiation,, certain chemicals and other substances, some viruses and bacteria, certain hormones, family history of cancer, alcohol, poor diet, lack of physical activity, or being overweight. Many of these risk factors can be avoided. Others, such as family history, can’t be avoided. People can help protect themselves by staying away from known risk factors whenever possible. 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.

• 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.

      One curious fact is that the Tobacco is the cause of a lot of people having lung cancer. Each year, more than 180,000 Americans die from cancer that is related to tobacco use. 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. Most cancers develop because of change or 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 but 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.
      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. 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. Having a healthy diet, being physically active, and maintaining a healthy weight may help reduce cancer risk.
 
         Opposing Viewpoints in Context. (2010). Cancers and chronic diseases
         causally linked to smoking. Retrieved from http://tinyurl.com/on6th8y 

Second article     

       Alcohol consumption is shown to increase levels of risk factors for breast cancer. This hypothesis is further supported by data showing that the alcohol-breast cancer association is limited to women with estrogen-receptor positive tumors. Products of alcohol metabolism are known to be toxic and are causing the DNA modifications that lead to cancer. Studied evidence suggests that antioxidant intake may reduce alcohol-associated breast cancer risk, because it neutralizes reactive oxygen species. Diets lacking of sufficient antioxidant intake, as a result, may further elevate the risk of breast cancer among alcohol consumers. Given that alcohol consumption is increasing worldwide and especially among women in countries of rapid economic growth. Avoiding overconsumption of alcohol is recommended, especially for women with known risk factors for breast cancer.

            Coronado, G. , Beasley, J. & Livaudais, J. (2011). Alcohol consumption and the risk of breast cancer. Salud Pública de México, 53(5) 440-447.

            Retrive from http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oaid=1062137301g

                 Giving to the following articles, I conclude that most of the risk factors of cancer can be avoided. The cancer is not a predictable disease, and we will never know who can be the next victim. Also the type of risk factors depends on the type of cancer. The only thing that we can do is having a healthy life, and if we feel some symptom go to the doctor.