Cancer is one of the most widespread diseases in the latest era. If we characterize cancer it is the development of abnormal cells in the body that divide uncontrollably with a quick infiltration rate. Once the abnormal cells develop and start dividing, they destroy the normal cells.
According to studies, cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Now, we are fortunate that the survival rate of cancer patients is increasing daily. It is only possible with better treatments and screening of cancer at early stages.
However, the morbidity rate of cancer is still at a risky point. So we need to take care of certain things in our daily life that helps to prevent the body from cancer.
Here we will share some common causes and treatments of cancer. Please keep reading and focus on the grounds of cancer to eliminate them from your life. It will help you live a happy and long life with better health.
So let’s dive into it.
What Are The Causes Of Cancer?
Cancer is a complex disease with several possible causes. The causes or risk factors of cancer vary in every person. However, the leading cause of cancer is mutations that are also famous for changes in cells’ DNA. The mutation also comes into the body through genetics. But keep in mind that it is not a genetic disease as one can get cancer by DNA mutation due to environmental forces and other risk factors.
Genetic mutation is an internal cause that offspring can get from their parents or grandparents. However, the external reasons referred to as carcinogens include physical, biological, and chemical factors.
Physical Carcinogens
The physical carcinogens include exposure to radiation and UV light. It doesn’t mean you will get cancer right after UV light or radiation exposure. Keep in mind that excessive radiation exposure can start the cell DNA mutation. Moreover, the lack of physical activity is also a common cause of cancer.
Chemical Carcinogens
The typical chemical carcinogens include smoke, alcohol, cigarette, air pollution, contaminated water, and food.
According to WHO, tobacco and alcohol cause 33 percent of cancer deaths. The study also shows similar cancer cases due to low consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Biological Carcinogens
Biological carcinogens include bacteria, parasites, and viruses that enter your body and cause DNA mutation. It can trigger the cell’s DNA mutation and quickly start showing cancer symptoms.
Cancer Risk Factors
Now you know the common causes of cancer in our society. However, certain risk factors increase the cancer ratio. These risk factors also increase the mortality rate of cancer patients.
· Tobacco usage like cigarettes is one of the common causes of cancer. The WHO studies also declare tobacco usage as the leading cause of cancer.
· An unhealthy diet is one of the risky factors behind cancer. There is an increasing trend of using processed meat and sugary drinks. Moreover, salty snacks, refined carbohydrates like sugar or grains, and starchy food increase the chances of cancer in your body.
· Consumption of alcohol is also typical. It causes cancer with a high mortality rate.
· Sedentary lifestyle with less physical activity is also risky for your health. Ensure that you get enough physical activity or exercise daily to keep your body healthy.
· The common viruses that can cause cancer include H. pylori. HPV, HIV, Epstein-Barr virus. These cause infectious mononucleosis and lead to deadly cancer through a quick-spreading rate in the body.
The cancer ratio is more in aged or older persons. According to studies, the cancer ratio increases at age 70 to 80. The primary reason is that the body cell repairing mechanism slows with age, and mutation starts quickly. Moreover, as we grow, we have more chemical exposure and biological and physical carcinogens that increase the chances of cancer.
Other health conditions like chronic inflammation also increase cancer risks in the body.
Treatments Of Cancer
The treatments of cancer vary from patient to patient. There are different types of cancer treatments according to the type of cancer. For example, if you know about the cancer symptoms early, you can get localized treatments like surgery or radiation. Moreover, the cancer treatment also depends on the area of cancer.
Doctors use different treatments to destroy cancerous cells.
Now here are the common types of cancer treatments that include:
Surgery
Surgery helps to remove cancer or tumor parts as much as possible. Keep in mind that it doesn’t remove cancer from your body. After the surgery, you must go through a combination of treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation. These therapies help to remove all the cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
It is one of the aggressive treatments for cancer patients that involve toxic medications to kill cancer cells. It may shrink or remove the cancer cells at the affected part and stop the spread of cancerous cells in the body.
Radiation Therapy
The radiation therapy includes beams of rays to kill the cancer cells in the targeted area. External beam radiation therapy is used outside the body, and brachytherapy kills cancer cells inside the body.
Bone Marrow Transplant
The bone marrow transplant is also an effective treatment for treating cancer. It includes the repair of diseased bone with healthy stem cells. Healthy stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can perform various functions in your body. It brings immunity to cancer patients and allows doctors to use high doses of chemotherapy.
Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine is another type of cancer treatment that helps lower cancer symptoms. Moreover, it is also effective in dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy or other cancer treatments.
Again you need to remember that every cancer patient and type of cancer is different. If you have a long-term infection or any other cause of cancer, then never neglect minor symptoms. You need to contact your doctor or oncologist to get the early treatment. The oncologist will suggest the medicine according to your body condition and cancer symptoms.