Many cancers caused by modern lifestyle

Many cancers caused by modern lifestyle

It is a known fact that many cancers are caused by our modern lifestyle habits and the environment factors that we live in.

In 2001, there were 7,000,000 cancer deaths worldwide and out of these 2.43 million were linked to the following factors:

Obesity
Low fruit and vegetable intake
Lack of exercise
Smoking
Alcohol
Unsafe sex
Urban air pollution
Indoor smoke from household use of coal
Contaminated injections

This study is published by the Harvard University in their news The Lancet.
They concluded that in low and middle-income countries the most important risk factors were smoking, alcohol use, and low consumption of fruit and vegetables.
In high-income countries, they were smoking, alcohol use, and obesity.

This is especially true with teenagers where there is a 50% increase in incidence of the cancer disease today in young people as compared to 1975. Six teenagers a day are now diagnosed with cancer in the UK alone. Some 2,200 teens die of cancer every year!

The increase in alcohol consumption is also causing a steep rise in mouth cancer cases. Mouth cancer now kills more people in the UK than cervical cancer and testicular cancer put together - some 1,600 people last year. Alcohol is the second biggest risk factor after smoking. This fact is relatively unknown.

To check for mouth cancer warning signs, see a doctor or dentist if any of these last for more than three weeks:
An ulcer or sore in your mouth
A red or white patch in your mouth
An unexplained pain in your mouth or ear
An unexplained lump in your neck
A sore or painful throat
A croaky voice or difficulty swallowing

Lead researcher Dr Majid Ezzati said that smoking was by far the most important risk factor for cancer. It alone is responsible for 21% of cancer deaths worldwide. He said public health campaigns targeting smoking in the UK had led to a drop in deaths from lung cancer in the past few decades, and showed just how effective such campaigns could be.

We can prevent such awful statistics through interventions in our lifestyle and environment. This will reduce a substantial proportions of deaths from cancer. Cancer is not inevitable. It can be prevented (prevention is better than cure). Change your lifestyle and reduce the risks. Quit smoking, stay in shape, eat and drink healthily, avoid excessive exposure to the sun's rays, and go for regular checkups.