According to the Cancer Research UK’s statistics, by 2020 almost one in two people will be diagnosed with Cancer at some point in their lives . That is almost 50 percent of the population . Cancer is the one diagnosis that most people dread to hear . Here are the facts about Cancer and what you can do to reduce your risk, if anything to prevent it as much as possible from developing in you .
Cancer is often described as being a Cruel disease , It doesn’t choose its victims and the Side effects of Medication and treatment can feel as worse as the Cancer itself . It is often more so prevalent, in the low Socio Economic class areas of the UK, often because of lifestyle factors . Whichever form of Cancer a patient is diagnosed with , Often ensues a long and arduous journey of numerous trips to the Hospital , blood tests , Treatments , follow ups . And sometimes very sadly , Death .
Here are some of the Risk factors well researched as being causes of Cancer and high risk factors . Do consider making changes to your lifestyle to implement some of the advice below and thus reducing your risk as much as possible to prevent this awful Disease from coming your way at all .
SMOKING:
Smoking is in fact considered to be a Chemical . And is responsible for causing one in four Cancers . Smoking whichever type, is considered to be a high risk factor for developing Cancer , mainly of the Lung , Oesophagus , Throat and the stomach . Did you know, that for every cigarette that is smoked , the lifespan of a person is reduced by seven minutes? Start to act now before it is too late . Agencies such as www.smokefree.nhs.uk can signpost you to your local stop smoking service . or www.quit.org.uk . Your risk of developing a cancer will decrease once you stop smoking
CHEMICALS
Chemicals such as Benzene, Asbestos , certain Tanning dyes within factories and working with Chemicals within industries ( Paint industry) increase the risk of developing Cancers of the Bladder . Without using protective clothing or measures to decrease our exposure to such chemicals , our risk of Cancer diagnosis increases . A thorough risk Assessment should be carried out by the workplace before undergoing any workplace based activity, involving any chemical known to cause cancer .
DIET
For years it has been a well known fact that Cancer starts with the appearance of an abnormal Cell in the body which then multiplies and becomes a Tumour or Cancer . Having a diet that consists of Five Portions of Fruit and Vegetables daily, can decrease the risk of Cancer formation . There is a theory that implies, that due to the high Mineral and Vitamin content of Fruit and Vegetables , it is thought, that this in turn prevents cells from becoming “Abnormal “, thus decreasing the risk of Cancer formation . The Asian Population in Particular, can often have a diet rich in Fat which will increase the risk of other diseases such as Diabetes and Heart disease, as well as Cancer . Why not start the following : An Apple a day for breakfast or a Banana , Two oranges for lunch , with half a stick of Cucumber and a large Tomato with your evening meal – Voila ! five a day consumed right there . Remember, Obesity is a risk factor for developing Cancer too . Eating a healthy diet and undertaking Regular Exercise, will help you keep your weight in check . recent Studies have also shown that Red Meat can cause Cancer – Decreasing your consumption of this and substituting for Protein Rich Chicken is a better alternative .
ALCOHOL
Alcohol , just like Smoking is thought to be just as dangerous a precursor in developing Cancer . Alcohol is thought to increase the risk of Many Cancers such as Cancers of the Oesophagus , Liver , Stomach , Pancreas , Oral cavity , Throat . It also leads to Obesity which is another risk for developing Cancer . Alcohol , again is a chemical , and almost Ten in one hundred men and Three in one hundred Women will be diagnosed with Cancer as a result of drinking too much Alcohol .
RADIATION
Exposure to Radiation can take various forms , we have exposure to Radiation through Xray investigations and related investigations, such as CT scans and exposure through the workplace to Radiation . There is also Radiation Exposure as a result of Exposure to the Sun’s Ultraviolet Rays . This can increase the risk considerably of Skin Cancers , This is the reason why Advice such as using Skin protection ,Application of Sunscreen is very important when exposure to the Sun takes place . Likewise Exposure to other forms of Radiation can lead to the development of Leukaemia’s in Children and Adults . Decreased usage of Sunbeds is Advisable, to decrease your risk of developing Skin Cancer .
INFECTION
Certain infections such as Hepatitis , can lead to Hepatocellular Cancer of the Liver , Other infections such as the Epstein Barr Virus is responsible for Causing Lymphoma . a Bacteria in the Stomach called H Pylori which leads to the the formation of ulcers of the Stomach is a known risk factor for Cancer of the Stomach . Again if you suffer from long term symptoms of Indigestion which is not alleviated with the use of Medication, it might be worth getting your self tested for this Bacteria. This can be arranged by your GP. A Virus known as HPV is known to cause Cervical Cancer , The incidence of Cervical Cancer in the UK has decreased considerably, due to the introduction of the HPV Vaccine in Teenage Girls . Likewise Vaccinating against Hepatitis B, decreases the risk of Liver Cancer .
IMMUNE SYSTEM
A weakened Immune system definitely increases our chances of developing a Cancer . Its easily understood : If we do not possess the ability to fight off an intruder into the body which could potentially be due to an abnormal Cancer Cell, the Chances of this Cell replicating into a Tumour can be High . This condition can be seen in cases of People who have weakened Immune systems due to AIDS , or due to other Genetic Conditions . Again a Good Healthy diet with Plenty of Fruit and Vegetables can decrease the Chance of this happening .
GENETIC FACTORS
Sometimes , inheritance of an Abnormal Gene , which can be as a result of the normal Gene Pattern changing in some way, in an Ancestor can cause, or increase the risk of Cancers . Research has shown that Cancers of the Breast and Ovary and the Bowel can be caused, as a result of inheritance of these Abnormal Genes from a Mother Or father . And Much research is taking place, to determine how to detect these Cancers Earlier in such people . Many Genetic Centres operate and Counsel Patients and establish their Risk of developing Cancers, if a First Degree relative is Diagnosed with a particular Cancer . More information can be obtained from your GP .
Cancer is never an Easy Battle to contend with . But the Above Advice and Implementation of the above lifestyle advice can decrease the risk of developing certain Cancers, such as Bowel Cancer by almost Twenty Three percent . For more information, please visit www.cancerresearch.uk.org or www.macmillan.org.uk .
