{"id":3667,"date":"2019-02-03T18:26:15","date_gmt":"2019-02-03T18:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3667"},"modified":"2021-03-25T18:41:49","modified_gmt":"2021-03-25T18:41:49","slug":"20-not-so-known-carcinogens-that-cause-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/20-not-so-known-carcinogens-that-cause-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Not-So-Known Carcinogens That Cause Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What are carcinogens? The dictionary defines the term as a substance, chemical, or virus that can directly cause the growth of cancer cells in the body. Interestingly enough, some of the medications we use to treat cancer, are also classified as carcinogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many types of cancer evolve from consuming a carcinogen or many different carcinogens, such as the chemicals in cigarette smoke. These carcinogens directly damage our DNA and cause mutations that affect the healthy growth and division of cells. Carcinogens cause inflammation within the cell, causing it to divide faster than usual, resulting in the development of cancerous tumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genetic predisposition to cancer plays a significant role in our body\u2019s susceptibility to carcinogens and their toxic effects. However, people with no family history of the disease are still at risk of developing cancer if they come in contact with carcinogens on a frequent basis. Here are eight not-so-known carcinogens that you may not be aware of, check through the list and reduce your exposure to these cancer-causing components.
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1.    Chemicals and Substances<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Americans have access to over 100,000 different chemicals in the retail market, with a further 1,000 new products introduced to the market each year. With so many compounds contributing to our daily lives, it\u2019s no wonder that cancer diagnoses continue to rise. Avoid all contact with possible and known carcinogens<\/a>, including the following compounds;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Asbestos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Arsenic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Benzene<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Beryllium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Vinyl chloride<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Chloroform<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    DDT<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our skin is permeable, meaning that liquids can pass through the layers of our epidermis and into our bloodstream, where they buildup over time. Continuous exposure to harmful chemicals, such as benzene, may result in permanent damage to mitochondrial DNA \u2013 which in turn can lead to the development of cancer cells and various types of carcinoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you work around hazardous chemicals, ensure that you always wear the necessary PPE (personal protective equipment.) PPE includes a long-sleeved jacket, breathing mask or respirator, gloves, and a hair net or cap.
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2.    Medical Radiation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Radiation <\/a>treatment is a particularly useful means of ridding the body of cancerous tumors. However, it\u2019s worth noting that exposure to large volumes of radiation can also cause cancer. Medical radiation machines, such as X-Rays and radiation drugs, dose the body with low levels of radionuclides that damage mitochondrial DNA. While it might seem ironic that cancer-causing devices exist in hospitals, they provide an irreplaceable service to people in need of their services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The radioactive particles penetrate the skin, and in some cases the boners as well, causing disruption in cell generation and cell division is the primary cause of cancer tumors. For example; women who receive radiation therapy after a mastectomy, are at a higher risk of developing tumors in their lungs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a family history of cancer, consult with your doctor before undergoing any radioactive treatments. Your physician will clearly outline the risk and reward for using the therapy.
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3.    Environmental Radiation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Radioactive particles also float freely through the atmosphere, landing on unsuspecting people every moment of the day and night. Many factories, nuclear power plants, and even plants emit radioactive energy, launching it into the air we breathe. While most cities and states have set limits on corporate radioactive waste, it doesn\u2019t mean that these levels can\u2019t harm your health if you’re susceptible to the toxic effect of carcinogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sun is another source of radiation and UV light that damages DNA<\/a>. Skin cancer is a leading cause of death in America, with over 3-million people affected by the condition each year. Every day, there are over 1,000 new diagnoses of skin cancer in some form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reduce your exposure to the sun\u2019s harmful rays in the peak sun hours of the day between 10 am and 3 pm. If you go to the beach or the lake for the weekend, make sure you pack sunblock, with SPF 50, to keep your skin hydrated and protected at all times.
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4.    Viruses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When most people think of the causes of cancer or carcinogens, they think of inanimate external sources and factors for the disease, such as radionuclides. However, it may surprise you to learn that organisms can play a significant role in the development of cancer as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viruses such as HPV<\/a>, (human papillomavirus,) can cause cervical and oral cancer \u2013 and it\u2019s listed as a known carcinogen, even though it\u2019s a virus. There are various \u201cstrains\u201d of HPV that have different effects on the body. Some strains of the virus are known to cause cancer in the pelvic area, as the disease spreads throughout the pelvic region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most cases of HPV will go away by themselves after a few months., However, some forms of the virus hang around for years and require specialized treatment, especially if the virus st=arts to present symptoms of genital warts and discharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a vaccine available for HPV, and since it\u2019s the most common STI in America, it may be worthwhile having yourself inoculated.
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5.    Medication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When we listen to our doctors\u2019 advice, we put our lives in their hands \u2013 especially when we\u2019re dealing with something as serious as cancer. We often don\u2019t give a second thought to the drugs they tell us to put in our bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using certain medications <\/a>to treat medical conditions may also increase the risk of developing cancer. For instance, chemotherapy drugs like Cytoxan, have benefit in treating women who have breast cancer. However, the treatment can lead to the development of leukemia \u2013 a form of cancer affecting the blood. While the treatment works and can save a life, it\u2019s also a known carcinogen that can lead to the development of carcinoma in susceptible individuals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you start any drug protocol, discuss the side-effects and complications of the compound with your doctor and make sure they know if you have a family history that includes cancer in any of your family members.
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6.    Lifestyle Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The lifestyles <\/a>we lead are responsible for our health. A sedentary lifestyle filled with laying on the couch eating junk food all day will ensure that your body deposits the excess calories as adipose tissue. Over time, this behavior leads to obesity. Similarly, cigarette smoking won\u2019t kill you after the first smoke; it\u2019s the repetitive behavior of smoking that eventually does the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smoking and obesity are significant health problems in the United States. While many people already understand that the 7,000 or more chemicals contained in cigarettes are carcinogens, most don\u2019t realize that obesity is carcinogenic as well. Every year, lung cancer and related respiratory diseases claim the lives of nearly half a million Americans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are at high risk of developing cancer, change your lifestyle and your diet to include healthy food options and daily exercise. It may be challenging to alter your behavior at first, but after 90-days, your new habits are entrenched in your body and mind.
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7.    Environmental and Industrial Pollution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We live in a modern world with ground-breaking technologies introduced to the market every day. However, the advancement of our economy and industry also comes with a cost, and pollutants are the price we pay for an evolving society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, air and water pollution are so bad in certain cities that we can no longer drink the tap water. Tap water now comes loaded with heavy metals, such as cadmium, and a host of biological organisms that can create severe illness. Likewise, heavy industry pollutes the air we breathe with toxic gases and effluents. Radioactive meltdowns in nuclear power plants release radionuclides into the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All these toxins <\/a>and carcinogens find their way into our bodies and have the capacity to disrupt healthy cell function, turning them cancerous. If you live in a heavily polluted region of the country, consider investing in a reverse osmosis water system to purify your drinking water. Wear a protective mask to catch fine particles from the air you breathe when you\u2019re walking through the city.
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8.    Fetal Food Exposure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This condition describes when a mother unknowingly feeds carcinogens onto her unborn child. When an expecting mother eats, she passes on the nutrients to her unborn fetus so that it has the energy to develop inside the womb. Unborn babies are incredibly sensitive to what a mother consumes, and it\u2019s the reason why doctors warn expecting mothers to avoid poor food choices and stop bad habits, like eating fast food and smoking cigarettes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certain carcinogens found in food can transfer from the mother to the unborn child after eating a meal. Studies show that the carcinogenic compounds all pass through the placental blood barrier where the child absorbs them into their developing body. Nitrosamines, such as nitrosodimethylamine and acrylamide, as well as PAH\u2019s, such as benzopyrene, pass through the barrier relatively quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you fall pregnant, consult with your doctor for a list of foods to enjoy and avoid while you are expecting your baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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