Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors for Cancer

Introduction:

The uncontrolled division of the cell is called cancer. About 45 percent of death caused by cancer is due to modifiable risk factors. The cancers caused by modifiable risk factors include cervical, ovarian, melanoma, colorectal, lung, liver, breast cancer, etc. Therefore, the occurrence of cancers can be prevented to a greater extent by controlling the risk factors.

What Are the Causes of Cancer?

When normal functioning genes start to create abnormal cells that multiply and divide uncontrollably, resulting in cancerous cell formation., cancer is therefore called a genetic disorder. Five to eight percent of cancers are caused by inherited genetic mutations which cannot be controlled. But most cancers result from an acquired genetic mutation occurring during one’s life. Three categories of carcinogens can result in cancer. They are physical carcinogens like ionizing radiation and ultraviolet radiation, infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that come under biological carcinogens, and chemical carcinogens, including asbestos, arsenic, tobacco, alcohol, etc.

What Are the Symptoms of Cancer?

The signs and symptoms can vary depending on the part of the body that is affected by cancer. Some of the symptoms are mentioned below:

• Weakness.

• Thickening of the skin or lump under the skin.

• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

• Changes in the skin, reddening or darkening of the skin, unhealing sores, or changes in existing moles.

• Changed bladder or bowel habits like diarrhea or constipation.

• Persistent cough.

• Breathing difficulty.

• Difficulty in swallowing.

• Hoarseness of the voice.

• Eating discomfort.

• Unexplained and persistent pain in muscles and joints.

• Persistent and unexplained fever.

• Unexplained bruising or bleeding.

What Are the Risk Factors of Cancer?

The common risk factors for cancer are:

• Age - With advancing age, cancer is more likely to develop. Most cancers are diagnosed in people above the age of 65 years, but they can also be seen in any age group.

• Habits - Habits or certain lifestyle decisions can increase cancer risks. Being obese, smoking, excess alcohol consumption, and frequent sunburns can cause cancer. These habits can be eliminated to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

• Family History - If a person has a family history of cancer, then one has a higher risk of getting cancer by inheriting the mutated gene. Still, it is not certain that they will get cancer. Instead, they are at risk of developing cancer.

• Health Conditions - Some chronic health diseases can end in cancer, like ulcerative colitis.

• Environment - Some harmful environmental chemicals can increase cancer risk. For example, secondhand smoke, and chemicals from the workplace, like asbestos or benzene, can increase cancer risk.

What Are the Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors of Cancer?

Cancer can be caused by an inherited mutated gene and also by an acquired genetic mutation. Many of the acquired mutations can be prevented. These are potentially modifiable risk factors for cancer. These modifiable risk factors can cause cancers of the lungs, kidneys, pancreas, esophagus, bladder, stomach, cervix, etc. Half of these cancers can be prevented by controlling the risk factors that cause cancer. Some of the potentially modifiable risk factors are mentioned below:

• Tobacco Use and Smoking - Tobacco is a major cause of cancer worldwide. Smoking is associated with almost 90 percent of lung cancer. Smoking can also result in oral, esophagus, stomach, and colon cancers. Cigarette and pipe smoking with tobacco and smokeless tobacco increase cancer risk. Secondhand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke can also increase cancer risk. Smoking tobacco increases the risk of cancer and can cause heart disease, lung infections, and stroke. Avoiding tobacco use and smoking to reduce the chance of developing cancer and other diseases is recommended.

• Physical Activity - Physical inactivity and less exercise are associated with most chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes mellitus, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Physical inactivity increases the chance of developing cancers like colon and breast cancer.

• Weight Control - Obese people are more likely to get stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. An increase in weight can also change the level of hormones and growth factors. Cancers like colorectal, breast, renal, and endometrial cancers can be seen in obese people.

• Diet - Healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, with minimal use of red meat and animal fat. Fruits and vegetables have vitamins, fiber, and minerals. A healthy diet can reduce cancer risk and diseases like type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Folate can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, vitamin A and carotenoids can reduce the risk of lung cancer, and selenium can reduce lung, colon, and prostate cancers. Fat, red meat, and fiber are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. Therefore, reduce the intake of these items and substitute them with a higher concentration of fruits and vegetables.

• Alcohol Use - Excess alcohol consumption causes oral, esophageal, colorectal, and liver cancer. Along with cancer, other health-related diseases like hypertension, pregnancy complications, suicide, and addiction have also been seen with alcohol usage. Therefore, it is advisable to limit alcohol consumption.

• Sun Protection - Sunburn can result in skin cancer and melanoma. Ultraviolet radiation can also result in cancers.

• Safer Sex - Unsafe sex can not only result in many sexually transmitted diseases but also the transfer of some oncogenic viruses like human papillomavirus (HPV).

• Medications - Medications like postmenopausal hormone therapy can increase the chances of developing breast cancer.

How Can We Diagnose Cancer?

Blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies can confirm a cancer diagnosis.

Blood Tests -

• Complete blood count or CBC, which counts the blood cells.

• Tumor markers are checked because they are released by the normal cells when there is abnormal cell growth or cancer cell presence.

• Blood protein tests measure the immunoglobulins released by the immune system by fighting against the cancer cells.

• Circulating tumor cell tests help to track tumor cell activity.

Imaging Tests -

• Computed tomography (CT) scan uses strong X-ray beams and computer technology to get detailed cross-sectional slices of images of the organs and bones.

• X-rays create an image of the bone and organs by using a safe amount of radiation.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a strong magnetic field, radio waves, and computer technology to create detailed images of the organs.

• Ultrasound uses high-intensity sound waves to create echos showing structures inside the body.

• A positron emission tomography (PET) scan uses radioactive substances to visualize the abnormal activities taking place in the body.

Biopsy -

• Needle or fine needle aspiration biopsy uses a thin needle to extract fluid, cells, or tissues from the tumor site or lump. Fine needle aspiration biopsy is commonly used in breast or thyroid cancer cases.

• Bone marrow biopsy.

• The tumor is completely removed and studied under a microscope in an excisional biopsy.

• In an incisional biopsy, only a part of the tumor or tissue is removed and viewed under the microscope.

• Skin biopsy.

• A perioperative biopsy is done during another procedure. The tissue is taken and tested. Results are obtained immediately after the procedure. So in case of any treatment requirement, the doctor can perform the treatment immediately.

How is Cancer Treated?

The cancer treatment can vary depending on the stage of cancer that is diagnosed.

• Chemotherapy - It is the most common treatment for all types of cancers. In chemotherapy, powerful drugs are used to kill the cancerous cells and decrease cancer growth. It can be administered orally or intravenously.

• Radiation Therapy - High doses of radiation are used to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy, internal and external beam radiation. In external beam radiation therapy, high-dose radiation is administered through a machine placed outside. Internal beam radiation is administered inside the body by inserting radiation seeds that produce targeted radiation to the cancer site. Internal beam radiation therapy is also called brachytherapy.

• Surgical Therapy - Surgical resection of the tumor is commonly used in many cancers. The surgical method depends on the size and extent of the cancer spread. Cancer and the surrounding healthy margin are resected to avoid cancer recurrence. Surgical therapy may be contraindicated in highly metastasized cancer as cancer may have spread to different body parts.

• Hormone Therapy - Some cancer cells produce excess hormones that may help in the growth of tumor cells. In such cases, to reduce uncontrolled growth, hormone therapy is indicated.

• Immunotherapy - Using our immune system to fight against cancer cells.

• Targeted Therapy - This therapy targets the genetic changes that transform normal cells into cancerous cells.

• Bone Marrow Transplant replaces bone marrow or stem cells with healthy stem cells. It is also known as stem cell transplantation.

Conclusion:

Inherited gene mutations cannot be prevented, but most acquired genetic mutations can reduce cancer risk. In addition, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided, lose excess body weight, maintain a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, and avoid sun exposure and ultraviolet radiation for a prolonged period.