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Thursday 21 July 2011

Cancer & Causes

Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn't need them. It can also occur when cells forget how to die.
According to WHO there are more than 100 types of cancers. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue.
Causes of Cancers:
Cancer is primarily an environmental disease, though genetics influence the risk of some cancers. 

Common environmental factors leading to cancer include:
Tobacco use, poor diet and obesity, infection, radiation, lack of physical activity, Chemical Pollution (Benzene and other chemicals), Excess alcohol Consumption, Environmental toxins, such as certain poisonous mushrooms and a type of poison that can grow on peanut plants (aflatoxins), Excessive sunlight exposure etc.
One can minimize the risk by: 

 Food and nutrition: Eating a healthy diet
 Physical activity: Exercising regularly
 Habits: Not smoking or chewing tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption

 Obesity: Maintaining a healthy weight
 Environment: Minimizing exposure to sun, radiation and toxic chemicals