Causes of Cancer | What Causes Cancer | Cancer Causes

Cancer

Cancer is a group of diseases characterised by out-of-control cell growth. There are more than 100 different types of cancer. The cancer is named after the area of the body or organ where it originates.

Submitted by Dr S. Patel on 15 October 2015

What causes cancer?

Understanding the causes and risk factors can help in cancer prevention efforts and early detection strategies. Here are some common triggers:

Genetics - Genetic predisposition can increase the risk of certain cancers, especially in families with a history of the disease. Each cell in our body contains DNA, which controls its action. Any change or mutation to the DNA that damages the genes involved in cell division can lead to cancer. Cancer occurs when because of gene mutation, the cell is unable to correct DNA damage and unable to die.
Carcinogens: Carcinogens are cancer-causing substances that cause damage to the DNA of the cell. All forms of tobacco, natural or man-made radiation, asbestos, certain food and food additives are some of the carcinogens. The following foods and cooking methods have also been linked to cancer: barbecuing or grilling meat; charring and deep frying food; acrylamide in french fries and potato chips; microwave popcorn; artificial sweeteners and sodas; processed meat and fatty red meat; highly processed foods which are low in fiber.
Diet: Poor diet high in processed foods, red meat, and low in fruits, vegetables, and fiber may increase cancer risk.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese is linked to a higher risk of developing various cancers, including breast, colon, and prostate cancer.
Tobacco consumption: Chewing tobacco and smokeless tobacco contain carcinogens such as nitrosamines and nicotine, and both can cause cancer. Chewing tobacco increases the risk of mouth, throat, oesophagus, and pancreatic cancer, whereas smokeless tobacco can cause mouth, tongue, cheek, and lip cancer.
Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, colon, and breast.
UV Radiation: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancer.
Pollution: Carcinogens in air, water, and soil, such as asbestos, benzene, and arsenic, can contribute to cancer development.
Occupational Exposures: Some occupations involving exposure to chemicals, radiation, or asbestos fibers increase the risk of cancer, such as asbestos-related mesothelioma and radiation-induced cancers among factory and plant workers.
Heredity: Cancer can be caused by genetic predisposition that is inherited from family members. Childhood retinoblastoma is the most striking example of the role of heredity.
Hormonal factors: Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women has been associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Immune system: People who have a problem with their immune system are more likely to get some types of cancer. i.e., people who have had organ transplant and taken drugs to suppress their immune system.
Viruses: Some viruses are known to cause cancer. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) weakens the immune system and increase the risk of Kaposi’s sarcoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, anal cancer, and cervical cancer.
Certain cancers and viruses have been linked with each other.
- Kaposi’s sarcoma due to human herpes virus
- Cervical cancer due to human papilloma virus
- Primary liver cancer due to hepatitis B and C virus
- Lymphomas from Epstein-Barr virus

Risk factors for cancer

People of all ages can get cancer but the frequency of cancer increases with age. As people age, there are more cancer causing mutations in cell DNA.
Heredity and family history of cancer
Diet and lifestyle: Smoking, alcohol and consumption of more processed foods
Spending long hours in the sun or have workplace hazards like chemicals or radiation
Obesity is linked to increased risk in 13 different cancers as per various studies conducted.
1. Adenocarcinoma of Oesophagus
2. Breast Cancer in post-menopausal women
3. Colorectal Cancer
4. Gallbladder cancer
5. Gastric Cancer
6. Kidney Cancer
7. Liver Cancer
8. Meningioma - a usually benign brain tumour
9. Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer
10. Ovarian Cancer
11. Pancreatic Cancer
12. Thyroid Cancer
13. Uterine Cancer

Learn cancer terms: https://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/cancer-terms-explained

Community

Cancer

Condition

Cancer

Stories

Ways to De-stress during Chemotherapy Sessions

Mariyam Raza Haider, 26, gives a first person account of how she makes her father’s chemotherapy cycles for aggressive oral cancer as easy and comfortable as possible. This is the first of a two-part series. Chemotherapy, despite being one of the most rigorous medical treatments, demands a pretty simple administration regime. More often than not, cancer patients spend a few hours at the hospital’s daycare, get the chemo drugs through intravenous catheters, and are then discharged. Most side…
Movies and Documentaries on Health in 2017

Shivani Maheshwari brings you a list of 10 movies and documentaries on health released in 2017. It is a random selection, with no preference or bias. They were picked up because they featured prominently on social media. The dominance of American staple probably makes a telling statement that more work needs to be done in the health sector in India, in terms of films, features, docudramas, narratives, and motion pictures. Hopefully, 2018 will be better. Watch them if you can. Many are available…
Cancer: The Roadmap for Tomorrow Depends on Early Detection

Race to Rein-in-Cancer organised a Cancer Conference in New Delhi to focus on the need for early detection and to set the perspective right for Cancer prevention and treatment now and in the coming years. Race to Rein-in-cancer in collaboration with Indian Science Congress Association (Delhi Chapter) and Media India Centre for Research & Development organised an informative and well organised Oncology Conference at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on 18th November. A risk factor in the…
Does Cancer Cause Erectile Dysfunction and other Questions

As part of our focus on men's health, we talk to urologist Dr. Vinit Shah about erectile dysfunction caused by cancer treatment and the strategies that may be employed to prevent and manage ED 1. What are the most common pelvic cancer symptoms for men? Very often pelvic cancers are detected only in later stages as the organs they affect are deep seated and therefore the symptoms are often absent or silent. However one must have a high index of suspicion in all cases of…
Is Genetic Testing Useful?

Dr. V. L. Ramprasad, COO of MedGenome, a genomics-based diagnostics and research company, highlights the importance of genetic testing. Genetic testing can be useful in identifying genetic disorders, inherited diseases and abnormalities and helpful in management, treatment or prevention of diseases, especially cancers. What is the difference between genetic testing and genome sequencing? Genetic testing is an investigation that looks at specific set of gene variations or set of genes or the…
Food Safety for Weakened Immunity

Cancer and its treatment like Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Therapy can weaken your body's immune system and make you vulnerable to food borne diseases. Dr Shital Raval recommends some guidelines to help keep your food safe and prevent infections. Cancer treatment often weakens the person’s immunity. This is called immunosuppression, a situation in which the body's immune system is made less effective usually by drugs. It puts the patient at a higher risk of contracting infections and food-borne…
Does Targeted Cancer Drug Work?

A clinical trial update on long term research carried out on patients with advanced gastro intestinal stromal tumours 10% of patients with advanced and aggressive GIST cancer have survived more than 10 years after treatment with one of the first successful targeted cancer drugs. They are living free of any progression of their cancer. These are based on long-term results from a major international clinical trial of patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) a decade after…
Fertility Preservation in Cancer Patients

Dr Shruti Mohanka, a fertility specialist and gynaecologist at Global hospital in Mumbai helps us understand how fertility preservation should addressed for all young male and female patients undergoing cancer treatment. Fertility preservation is a critical element of improving quality of life in cancer survivors. Young children and young adults often survive cancer and may wish to have families in the future. They and their families need to be aware that preserving fertility is an option. Too…
Palliative Care Centre in Memory of her Daughter

The Romila Palliative Care Centre was started by Dr Armida Fernandez, after she lost her daughter to cancer. While the best medical care was provided to her, she felt the softer aspects of patient care were missing. Here, she talks about her desire to fill this vacuum. When and how did you start Romila Palliative Care? Romila Palliative Care started in February 2017. I lost my daughter to cancer in 2013 and at that time we felt that although the best of medical care was available, the softer…
A Healthy Gut for a Happy State of Mind

By maintaining a healthy gut or gastrointestinal tract, you can ward off a host of uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, flatulence and constipation and conditions like bowel cancer, Depression and IBS. Tips from Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju. The importance of gut health Gut health is important. The health of the body starts with the gut to help reduce the risk of conditions like bowel cancer, constipation, etc. The food you consume is broken down to fats, proteins, and simple carbohydrates…