Cancer is a complex disease with many different factors contributing to its growth in the body. Due to the vast types of cancer, many companies are setting up trials on different medications to see if it can help people living with cancer live longer.
While there are some cancers which arise from genetic mutations, others can be linked to external sources. In this article we’ll talk about the top three cancers which are generally caused by external sources.
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Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is caused by a persistent infection from strains of the HPV virus or Human papillomavirus. This is a sexually transmitted virus and the risks of contracting it is higher if you’ve had multiple sexual partners. In 2022, it was estimated over 660,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Other factors that could increase your risk can include oral contraceptives which are designed to regulate periods, stop pregnancy or to stop periods completely. Because oral contraceptives are designed to change and regulate a woman’s reproductive system, it poses a higher risk of mutated cells growing because it’s forcing the body to go against what it’s meant to do naturally.
It’s important to see your doctor every one to two years to have a Pap smear to check for abnormal cells. This can help diagnose cancer early on for the best possible outcome long term.
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Malignant Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which was once used in manufacturing and construction due to its overall heat resistant and insulation properties.
Malignant mesothelioma develops over time after asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested and become lodged in the body. This can lead to long term scarring, inflammation and eventually cancer.
Those at risk are people who used to and in some cases still do work in the automotive industry, construction industry and ship building industries. Some family members may also be at risk of secondary exposure if a person has it on their clothing. Signs of this cancer can be seen as difficulty breathing, chest pain and persistent cough.
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Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is generally caused by smoking but other environmental factors can play a role in the development of this cancer. Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer with 85% of cases being related to cigarettes according to the World Health Organization. One of the reasons why cigarettes cause cancer is due to the number of chemicals they have in them which include, but isn’t limited to:
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Carbon monoxide
- Formaldehyde
- Tar
- Ammonia
- Nicotine
- Benzene
- Cadmium
- Polycyclic Hydrocarbons
- Polonium-210
- N-nitrosamines
These chemicals have carcinogenic properties which promote a mutation of cells which eventually can cause cancer. Another factor can be exposure to radon gasses. These are natural gasses in the ground which seep up through the floor of your house. These gasses hold radioactive properties and can only be detected with radon testing equipment.
Asbestos can also cause lung cancer due to microfibers being inhaled and becoming stuck in the lungs. Asbestos these days has regulations around its removal to help prevent further damage to those who work with it. Lung cancer can make it hard for the person who is experiencing it as it causes a loss of lung capacity. Fortunately the risks can be minimized with some lifestyle changes.
Endnote
Cancer isn’t something a person wants to get diagnosed with but unfortunately it happens frequently. While some cancers you may not be able to predict, others are linked back to an external trigger source. Thankfully, there are drugs and other medications that may help with certain cancers. If you have any of these cancers and are struggling with a diagnosis try to seek professional help to support you during this difficult time.
