Some of them can be controlled.
In recent years, scientists have been actively investigating the factors that lead to the development of cancer. Many of them are refuted.
Elena Zhukova, head of the outpatient oncology department, Dzhamilya Magomedova, oncologist, Dmitry Fursov, founder of the Onkomir project, and Ekaterina Tretyakova, associate professor of the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy of Perm State National Research University, spoke regarding the real causes of oncological diseases.
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Oncological diseases occupy second place in the list of the most common causes of death worldwide. About 4.5 million men and 3.5 million women die each year from various types of cancer. Only cardiovascular diseases cause more deaths.
Among women, the most common cancers are breast, cervical, ovarian, skin, uterine, colon, and stomach cancers. In men, tumors of the lung and upper respiratory tract, neoplasms of the prostate gland, tumors of the skin, stomach and rectum are most often diagnosed. Jamilya Magomedova Doctor oncologist-mammologist Photo Freepik
What causes cancer is still not fully known. But numerous studies have identified the main risk factors.
A risk factor means that a person is more likely to develop cancer than the average person. However, having a certain risk factor does not mean that you will definitely get cancer. For the development of oncology, as a rule, the presence of several factors at once is required. Dmitry Fursov Founder of the oncology project
Some risk factors can be avoided. Others, such as age, cannot be adjusted by a person. Let’s talk regarding each in more detail.
genetic predisposition
There are several forms of cancer that can be inherited. Among them:
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ovarian cancer;
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mammary cancer;
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cancer of the colon and rectum;
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pancreas cancer;
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stomach cancer;
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melanoma.
Photo Freepik
These types of cancers are caused by mutated genes. They can be detected with the help of screening genetic studies.
Specialized studies are carried out if there were several cases of one type of cancer in the family, several family members fell ill with cancer early (before 50 years), one of the relatives had two types of cancer, or one of the family members was diagnosed with cancer in both paired organs at once (for example, in both kidneys). Jamilya Magomedova Doctor oncologist-mammologist
Genetic disorders can occur:
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due to the influence of some substance from the outside;
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during incorrect copying during normal cell growth;
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when they inherited the cancer gene from one of their parents.
Genes are “instructions” inside cells that tell them what to do. They tell you when to grow and when to stop, what substances to release. Violations in one of the genes can cause the cell to become cancerous. Dmitry Fursov Founder of the oncology project
So, during research found out that:
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the presence of one or more cases of colorectal cancer in parents, brothers, sisters, children (first degree of relationship) increases the risk of developing cancer by half;
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having two cases of colorectal cancer in an uncle, aunt, grandparent (second degree), cousins (third degree) increases the risk of cancer by 33%.
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Hormonal
The female sex hormones estrogens play an important physiological role in women and men, but they can also cause cancer. For example, hormonal therapy during menopause Maybe increase the risk of breast cancer by 23% within the first year following the start of treatment. Wherein:
Age
With age increases and cancer risk. Average age at diagnosis:
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62 years for breast cancer;
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67 years for colorectal cancer;
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71 years for lung cancer;
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66 years for prostate cancer.
Cancer is also possible at an earlier age. For example, bone cancer is more commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents under 20 years of age. They also make up 12% of patients with brain cancer and other types of cancer of the nervous system. Elena Zhukova Oncologist
The relationship of age with oncology is substantiated by the longest exposure to carcinogens or the hormone estrogen (in women). For example, the risk of breast cancer rises:
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by 23% with the appearance of the first menstruation at the age of less than 13 years;
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by 20% at the onset of menopause following 54 years.
Photo Freepik/prostooleh
Carcinogens
In most cases, cancer is not inherited, but develops under the influence of adverse environmental and lifestyle factors. One of them is the frequent consumption of foods containing carcinogens.
The greatest amount of carcinogens is found in fatty and fried foods:
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fried and smoked meat;
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fast food and snacks;
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sweets and baked goods;
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industrial sauces.
Carcinogens also include exhaust gases, toxic emissions from factories and factories. Therefore, living in ecologically unfavorable regions is also considered a risk factor for the development of oncology.
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Improper nutrition
Frequent errors in nutrition and an unbalanced diet over time lead to weight gain and obesity and, as a result, to oncology. In particular, cancer of the colon, prostate and breast is possible.
Dangerous products include:
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red meat;
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processed meat (sausages, bacon, ham, sausages, etc.);
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foods high in animal fats.
A review of ten studies found that eating red meat increased the risk of bowel cancer. Ekaterina Tretyakova Candidate of Medical Sciences
Obesity and overweight
Excess weight disrupts the cells of the immune system. Fat molecules interfere with the emergence of new immune cells, their activity and block molecular receptors, which are used to detect cancer cells.
Overweight people account for approximately 3.9% of all cancers. Elena Zhukova Oncologist
Weight gain of approximately 5 kg in four and a half years raises risk of breast cancer in the next seven and a half years.
An increase in body mass index (BMI) for every 5 units above normal increases 10% chance of breast cancer.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption can also provoke cancer. Against the background of alcoholism often develop:
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cancer of the mouth, larynx and throat;
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mammary cancer;
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crab cakes.
Photo Freepik
The point is once more in carcinogens, which include ethanol and its derivatives. They are detrimental to cells.
When you drink alcohol, the body breaks it down into a chemical called acetaldehyde, which damages DNA and prevents the body from repairing the damage. This can lead to the formation of a cancerous tumor. Elena Zhukova Oncologist
Only three to four glasses of wine, or 35-44 grams of alcohol, per day raises risk of developing breast cancer by 32%. If you exceed this amount, the probability increases by 46%.
Smoking
This is one of the main reasons occurrence cancer, once more due to carcinogens. Tobacco smoke adversely affects:
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mucous membranes of the respiratory tract;
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gas exchange in tissues (due to tobacco tar deposited in the lungs);
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the cardiovascular and immune systems of the body (nicotine acts on them like a poison).
The risk of developing oncology directly depends on the number of cigarettes smoked per day, the age of onset of smoking and “experience”. Smokers are most likely to develop lung, esophagus, stomach, cervix, and kidney cancers. Jamilya Magomedova Doctor oncologist-mammologist
Smoking leads to death in more than 20% of cancer cases. In tobacco smoke contained chemicals (there are more than 250 of them) that are harmful to both active and passive smokers.
Recent studies have shown that smokers are more likely to die from colorectal cancer than non-smokers. The risk of developing colorectal cancer was 27% higher in smokers and 23% higher in ex-smokers. Ekaterina Tretyakova Candidate of Medical Sciences
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Infectious diseases and viruses
The cause of oncology I can be some infections and viruses. Among them:
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Epstein-Barr virus (transmitted by airborne droplets, in 90% of cases it is asymptomatic);
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hepatitis B and C viruses (increase the risk of liver and cervical cancer, respectively, are transmitted through the blood, including from mother to child at birth, and sexually);
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HIV (weakens the immune system, makes it difficult to fight other infections, increases the risk of cervical cancer by six times, significantly increases the risk of other types of cancer);
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human papillomavirus, or HPV (causes cancer of the cervix, throat, etc.);
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Helicobacter pylori bacteria (cause stomach cancer).
Prolonged inflammation increases the risk of cancer, including pathological changes that precede malignancy. These include chronic bronchitis, recurrent pneumonia, long-term non-healing ulcers and fistulas, skin scars, and more. Dmitry Fursov Founder of the oncology project
Exposure to radiation
Excessive exposure to sunlight and high-energy radiation (X-rays, gamma rays) can cause cancer.
Photo Freepik/senivpetro
Ultraviolet damages the DNA of cells and melanocytes, which leads to skin cancer (melanoma, basalioma, squamous cell carcinoma) and conjunctival cancer.
People who live in mountainous areas or in regions with year-round bright sunshine are at an increased risk of developing skin tumors. Spending a lot of time in the sun during the midday hours also affects the likelihood of the disease. Ekaterina Tretyakova Candidate of Medical Sciences
A visit to the solarium and sunburn lead to malignant neoplasms of the skin. Risk of melanoma aged 25-59 with tanning bed use grows up by an average of 74%. When visiting a solarium for more than 50 hours, more than 100 sessions and more than 10 years, the risk of getting sick increases by two and a half to three times.
