Cancer is one of the most feared diseases in the world. It’s a disease that has been around for centuries, and yet we still don’t know what causes it. However, there are some known risk factors that can increase your chances of getting cancer. In this blog post, we’ll talk about what those common risk factors are!
1) Smoking cigarettes: Cigarette smoke contains thousands of carcinogens which have been shown to cause lung cancer as well as other types of cancers. If you smoke, stop. Your life will be better for it when you do!
2) Excess alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol increases your chances of developing liver disease and throat cancer along with many others. This is so because alcohol contains lots of carcinogens. Drinking in moderation is always the best idea! If you drink a lot, don’t. If you drink a little, great!
3) Obesity: Being overweight or obese will put you at higher risks for diabetes-related cancers, gallbladder cancer, pancreatic cancer and more! People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes as well.
4) Excessive exposure to sun light: This is a risk factor that we’re all aware of! Excessive exposure to sun light can cause skin cancer. This is so because sun light contains ultraviolet radiation which is known to damage the DNA of our cells. Limit your time in the sun or wear sunscreen every day!
5) Parasites: There are certain parasites that can cause cancer. This is so because these parasitic infections change the DNA of our cells in ways which promote uncontrolled cell growth (cancer). In fact, some parasites can cause cancer without us even knowing. A few of these parasites are plasmodium falciparum, toxoplasma gondii and many different types of tapeworms. So there you have it. These are the five most common risk factors for developing cancer. If you’re wondering what causes cancer, that is a good start to find out! Don’t forget about these risks and stay healthy my friends!
