Causes Of Cancer

Cancer is a deadly disease, which occurs when cells in our body start malfunctioning, i.e. dividing and forming themselves, without any control or order. Our body organs are made up of cells which normally divide or produce only when the body needs them and this process helps in keeping us healthy.

When excess cells are produced, this mass of tissue forms into a growth, called a tumor which can also be referred to as benign or malignant.

A benign tumor is not harmful as their cells do not spread to other parts of the body and can be removed surgically, whereas malignant tumors are cancerous as their cells invade and damage the tissues and organs around the area, also at times entering into the bloodstream or the lymphatic system thus causing cancer to spread and form new tumors in other parts of the body.

Causes Of Cancer

There are various types of cancer which are common in mostly middle-aged and elderly people. Amongst them is Skin cancer which is the most common type of cancer for both men and women. The next is prostate cancer, among men, and breast cancer among women. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death for both while Leukemia and brain cancer are common in children and young adults.

Much research is being done to find out as to what causes cancer, and ways to prevent it. Scientist have identified many risk factors that increase the chance of getting cancer as this disease develops gradually as a result of complex mix of factors related to environment, lifestyle and heredity.

It is estimated that about 80 percent of all cancers are related to the use of tobacco products. It is also related to what we eat and drink, and to a lesser extent, the exposure to radiation in the environment and at the workplace.

The most common factor know to increase the risk of cancer is smoking tobacco, using “smokeless” tobacco and being exposed to environmental tobacco smoke without actually smoking it. Smoking, rates as the highest percentage for lung cancer deaths, depending by the number and types of cigarettes you smoke. Smokers suffer a higher risk of being exposed to other types of cancer such as oral cancer, cancers of the larynx, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidney and cervix.

Chewing tobacco and snuff causes cancer of the mouth and throat. Constant exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, also called involuntary smoking, increases the risk of lung cancer for nonsmokers and can also be a leading cause for many deaths.

Foods Causing Cancer

One of the potential cancer-causing chemicals called ‘Acrylamide’, has been under scrutiny for a long time. It is a white odorless powder which has been found in many foods. It appears that the chemical is actually used in plastics and dyes, and is also a byproduct of cooking food at high temperatures.

Researchers have found this substance in significant amounts of a wide range of foods as a result of baking or frying and it is likely that when consumed it could cause cancer and neurotoxin effects to the nervous system of humans.