Lifestyle And Cancer

The number of new cancer cases expected to double by 2030. Only 5–10% of all cancers are due to an inherited gene defect. Rest is due to lifestyle factors, such as dietary habits, smoking, infections, alcohol consumption, environmental pollutants and radiation.

Nearly 9 out of 10 lung cancers are caused by smoking cigarettes or secondhand smoke exposure. Second-hand or passive smoke is the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke breathed out by smokers. Smoking can cause cancer of blood, bladder, cervix, colon and rectum, esophagus, kidney, larynx, liver, lung, trachea, mouth, throat, pancreas, stomach etc. Chewing tobacco also causes cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, mouth and throat.

Chronic alcohol consumption is a risk factor for cancers of the upper aero-digestive tract, including cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, hypo pharynx, larynx, and esophagus, as well as for cancers of the liver, pancreas, mouth, and breast.

Frequent consumption of red meat is a risk factor for several cancers like colorectal, prostate, bladder, breast, gastric, pancreatic, and oral cancers. Bisphenol from plastic food containers can migrate into food and may increase the risk of breast and prostate cancers. Saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, and refined sugars and flour present in most foods have also been associated with various cancers. Obesity has been associated with increased death from cancers of the colon, breast, uterus, kidneys, esophagus, gastric, pancreas, prostate, gallbladder, and liver. Air pollutants increase the risk of childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma, and exposure to pesticides can increase risk of brain tumors, Wilm’s tumors, Ewing’s sarcoma, and germ cell tumors. We can prevent cancer by quitting alcohol, tobacco, refined sugar, flour. Regular exercise to maintain ideal body weight is helpful in preventing cancers. Daily consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is also helpful in protecting us from various types of cancers.