Cancer

Cancer: Close and Personal
Cancer is one of the most disturbing classes of diseases among the human populace. A cancer is disease that develops as a result of uncontrolled cell growth in the body (Johnson and Raven 126). And although vicious, many types of cancers can be prevented and/or treated with a combination of a healthy lifestyle, technological advancements, and limiting exposure to knownrisk factors of cancer. There are some cancers that are more common than others, especially when certain carcinogens are sometimes hard to identify. Cancer at a cellular level is keen to spread and if not dealt with in a timely manner may affect several of the vital organs of the body. This is why much effort is expended in the combined works doctors of medicine and biological science to findan affective cure for the devastative powers of cancer.
Major risk factors in the environment that ultimately lead to death by cancer can indeed be successfully modified. In fact, almost one third of cancer-related deaths could be prevented if tobacco products were not used (“Avoidable Environmental Factors”). Lung Cancer is the primary type of cancer caused by smoking, but smoking can also leadto cancer of the esophagus, nasal cavity, stomach, kidney, pancreas, bladder, mouth, cervix, and acute myeloid leukemia. Diet is also a major factor in the prevention of cancer, as twenty to fifty percent of cancerous deaths can be linked to a person’s diet (“Avoidable Environmental Factors”). A diet high in red meats, preserved meats, salt-preserved meats, and salt is said to increase the riskof stomach and colorectal cancers in a recent study (“Diet”). Infections call for ten to twenty percent of cancer related deaths and certain strains of some viruses, such as the Human Papillomavirus, are responsible for most cases of anal and cervical cancer (“Viruses”). UV light, site of occupation, and the pollution of food, water, and air are responsible for eight to sixteen percent of cancerdeaths (“Avoidable Environmental Factors”).
Certain cancer causing agents in the environment can be difficult to identify. The reason for this is that in many cases there are several reasons behind the development of cancer in a certain individual and it cannot be traced back to a single source. For example, a man can live his entire life without smoking a cigarette. But, after a series of testsand medical bills, it is apparent that he has cancer. Why is this? A man can indeed live a life without smoking and still develop cancer. It may be as a result of his unhealthy diet. It could be that his workplace is being exposed to radioactive chemicals. Perhaps this man lived in an area as a child where the water was severely polluted, and the contamination in his system is only just nowmanifesting itself. Putting all environmental factors aside, it could be that our subject is just genetically susceptible to cancer, and therefore he developed it at almost no provocation.
Most humans have cancer genes. But whether or not those genes are active in our systems is largely dependent upon singular choices. Such as the food that is consumed, whether or not one exercises regularly, or drinksenough water (Youngberg 34). The fact is that the environment is such a convoluted entity that it is near impossible to isolate any triggers that cause the cancer in an individual. “There are environmental exceptions and other influences that we don’t always understand,” said John Youngberg. The best that can be done is to look over the statistics of those who developed cancer and link togethertheir reoccurring themes.
Many cancers can be treated effectively if detected early (Johnson and Raven 12). But it is easier to try and prevent cancer than to treat it once it has begun. Several relatively small lifestyle adjustments can prevent over exposure to known risk factors and can greatly reduce the risk of cancer. For example, quitting smoking and limiting your exposure to second hand...