Lifestyle Factors That Cause Cancer

According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is the second leading reason of death globally, and is responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. About 1 in 6 deaths is caused due to cancer. And approximately 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low and middle-income countries. When it comes to Bangladesh, cancer is the sixth leading cause of death and accounts for 10% of all mortality here. Nearly 66% of patients with cancer are estimated to be within the age bracket of 30 to 65 years which constitute the main workforce structure in the country. Unfortunately cancer victims of Bangladesh visit doctors late. Thus most of them are diagnosed with advanced stage cancer which ultimately increases the rate of death of cancer patients in the country. It is because until they or any of their family members are attacked by this deadly disease, mass people of our country hardly get any idea regarding cancer. They are unaware of the risk factors which cause cancer. But the fact is that if they know about these factors earlier, they could prevent the fatal disease. It is usually not possible to know exactly why one person develops cancer and another doesn’t. But research has shown that certain risk factors may increase a person’s chances of developing cancer. The list below includes the most known or suspected risk factors for cancer. Limiting your exposure to avoidable risk factors may lower your risk of developing certain cancers.

Tobacco consumption Tobacco use is a major cause of cancer and death from cancer. People who use tobacco products have an increased risk of cancer because tobacco products contain many chemicals that damage DNA. When asked, Dr. Md. Habibullah Talukder, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Cancer Epidemiology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, said, “There are around 4000 chemical substances in tobacco and among them around 48 to 50 chemical substances can cause cancer.” According to a study titled “Economic Cost of Tobacco Use in Bangladesh: A Health Cost Approach”, tobacco consumption causes around 100,961 deaths every year in Bangladesh and second-hand smoke (who are regularly around environmental tobacco smoke) causes 24,757 deaths. Apart from smoking, people in several localities take snuff and chew tobacco leaf which increases the chances of developing cancer in the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas. Tobacco users have 109 percent higher chances of developing lung, larynx (voice box) and oral cancer if compared to non-users. If anyone wants to reduce cancer risk, he/she has to quit smoking. There is no alternative to this.

Over consumption of red meat
Red meat is on top of the favorite food list of many Bangladeshi people. Many studies have found that over consumption of red meat increases the risk of cancer. According to Dr. Md. Habibullah Talukder, “High consumption of red meat in meal can increase the risk of colon cancer as it is a high source of animal protein which naturally forms chemicals during the digestion process that may damage the cells that line the bowel.” Processed meat consumption has also been strongly linked to a higher risk of stomach cancer as it is often made from red meat which contains added nitrates and nitrites that break down during digestion to form chemicals that can cause cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer reinforces a 2002 recommendation of WHO that people who eat red meat should moderate the consumption of processed meat to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Dr. Md. Habibullah Talukder opined that limiting the consumption of red meat or processed meat can reduce risk of bowel, breast and prostate cancer. He suggested eating fish, chicken, whole grain cereal, fruits and vegetables instead of red meat.
  Obesity and physical inactivity
Physical inactivity and obesity increase the risk of cancer, including cancers of breast, colon, rectum, endometrium (lining of the uterus), esophagus, kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder. If you remain inactive, it can raise the level of inflammation in your body and increase the risk of cancer due to insulin resistance. Dr. Md. Habibullah Talukder observed that eating foods low in carcinogens, doing physical exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight may help reduce risk of some cancers.

Long-term sunlight exposure
According to Dr. Md. Habibbulah Talukder, people who spend long hours in sunlight (like farmers or rickshaw pullers) have more risk of developing skin cancer. Hundreds of research supports that sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths all emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Exposure to UV radiation causes early aging of the skin and skin damage that can lead to skin cancer. Researchers have found that 15 minutes a day in sunlight is good for body. Even though skin cancer is more common among people with a light skin tone, but it doesn’t mean people of dark skin won’t develop skin cancer.According to the doctors, people should wear a hat with a wide brim all around which shades their face, neck, and ears while working in the field.

Mobile phone
Although mobile phone cannot directly damage body tissue or damage DNA but there are many debates on whether excessive use of mobile phones increase the risk of cancer or not. When asked, Dr. Md. Habibullah Talukder replied, “Mobile phones emit radiofrequency (RF) waves. The waves are not stronger like x-rays or gama rays. But while talking, we typically keep our phones beside our head. The considerable thing is how close we keep them and how long we use them. Impact depends on the amount of RF energy the body will absorb from the phone. It is also known as specific absorption rate (SAR). Different cell phones have different SAR levels. We haven’t conducted enough research to come to a conclusion regarding this. That’s why it is better not to take any risk.”
It is better to check the SAR level of the mobile phone from the respective company’s website and avoid long talks over phone as it may heat the mobile phone and accelerate the negative effects. Using headphones or speaker can be a better option as in that case the mobile phone will be far away from your head.

Talcum powder
Talcum powder is a common summer beauty product in our country. But I guess everyone can remember the allegation of using cancer-generating substances in the powders produced by Johnson and Johnson. Some talc contains asbestos, which can increase the risk of cancers in and around the lungs when inhaled. Though different studies have had mixed result and it is not confirmed yet, but the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies talc that contains asbestos as ‘carcinogenic to humans’. Around two months ago, Times news has reported that, “The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine provides some of the strongest proofs that exposure to asbestos-tainted talcum powder may cause malignant mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer that affects tissues lining internal organs.” So, it is better not to take risk and cut the risk by avoiding talcum powder near breast and genital areas.

Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx (voice box), liver, and breast. The more you drink, the higher your risk. The risk of cancer is much higher for those who drink alcohol and also use tobacco. So, doctors advise people who drink to consume it in moderate amounts to cut the risk.

Arsenic contaminated water
According to a media report, “Nearly 40 million people in Bangladesh may still be exposed to arsenic through drinking water or food despite availability of drinking water from shallow and deep tube wells.” Arsenic water can increase risk factor of developing skin cancer. WHO reports, “Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking-water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions. It has also been associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.” Health experts suggest drinking and using low-arsenic water and reserving microbiologically safe sources such as rain water.
Apart from the afore-mentioned lifestyle factors, certain medical procedures, such as chest x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and radiation therapy, can also cause cell damage which can lead to cancer if they are not performed by a skilled paramedic.
Well, everyone knows the proverb ‘prevention is better than cure’. Yet, we are so reluctant to lead a healthy life. The fact that some lifestyle changes can save us from a deadly disease like cancer should be taken into account by all of us with a view to leading a cancer-free life.