Cancer Causes: Know Your Risks

Cancer causes can be found genetically, through our lifestyle choices and hazardous environmental exposure. Realizing what causes cancer can help you to prevent it. The first step in cancer prevention is learning what can cause cancer and your? risk factors. By avoiding as many risk factors as you can from your life you’re more likely to avoid developing cancer. So what are the cancer causes and the risks factors?

  • Tobacco. The National Cancer Institute reports smoking as a cause of more than 30% of all U.S. Cancer related deaths. Smoking affects the lungs and causes kidney pancreatic and stomach cancers. It is also known to be a risk factor in causing myeloid leukemia. You decrease your risk of cancer immediately when you quit smoking.
  • Genetics.Family history, or genetics, plays a major role in developing cancer. Breast cancer can be passed from family members. The mutated gene is passed down from family so extra precautions should be taken. Many hereditary cancers can be detected through genetic tests.
  • Physical activity A recommended 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week of physical exercising reduces your cancer risk significantly. Great activities like yoga, aerobics, walking and running get you physically fit, keeping you from becoming obese. Obesity is another major risk of getting cancer. Exercise to prevent prostate, colon, breast and lung cancers.
  • Exposure to the Sun Exposure to sun’s UV rays can cause skin cancer. Cell damage is a result of a tan or sunburn.
  • Environmental Exposure Exposure hazardous environmental conditions can cause cancer. Exposure to asbestos and industrial building materials can cause mesothelioma.
  • Unsafe Sex Developing a virus called HPV are increased when you practice unsafe sex. HPV is known as the human papillioma virus, increasing risks for cervical, anal and vaginal cancer.

Knowing your risk factors and what cancer causes there are, can help you prevent it.