Cancer – Are You at Risk!

What is Cancer: A cancer is a growth of abnormal cells that tend to invade neighbouring tissue and spread to distant body sites. Cancers are classified on the basis of two factors,the type of tissue and the type of cell in which they develop.

There are several kinds and causes of cancer but today I will focus on the Major Risk Factors for Cancer. According to research, environmental causes are believed to account for at least 50 per cent and perhaps, in some types, as much as 80 per cent of all cancers. Cigarette smoking is direclly related to approximately 90 per cent of all cancers of the lung. Other environmental factors include industral pollutants and radiation.

These are some of the major risk factors for cancer.

-A heavy smoker over the age of 50 who smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years will develop a cough called smoker’s cough or one who started smoking at age 15 or before age 15 is at risk for lung cancer.

-A person who develop a lump or nipple discharge or has a history of breast cancer. A close relative with history of breast cancer, A person over 35: especially over 50, Never had children or had their first child after age 30 will be at risk for breast cancer.

-A person with a history of rectal polyps, or rectal polyps runs in the family, has a history of ulcerative colitis, has blood in the stool and over 40 should be checked for cancer of the rectum and the colon.

-Uterine-cervical cancer usually begins with bleeding or discharge. this can happen to someone who starts having frequent sex in early teens or with many partners. poor care during or following pregnancy or age 40-49. Uterine-endometrial cancer usually begins with unusual bleeding or discharge.late menopause (after age 55) diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. onset: age (50-64)

-Excessive exposure to the sun, fair complexion, working with coal tar, pitch or creosote are all risk factors for skin cancer.

-A person who is a heavy smoker and drinker with poor oral hygiene should take precautions for oral cancer.

-A person with a history of ovarian cancer among close relatives and at age 50-59 is at risk for cancer of the ovaries.

-For prostate cancer, All males who has difficulty in urinating and is over the age of 55 should be checked.

-If there is a history of stomach cancer among close relatives and your diet is heavy in smoked, pickled,or salted foods,has some link with blood group “A” you should be checked for stomach cancer.

These are only risk factors for cancer. With constant observation, one should be able to seek medical attention before it’s too late.