Recent advances in medical technology has given us an opportunity to fight cancer effectively.
Awareness plays an important role in early diagnosis and prompt attention to any abnormality in the body and has to be investigated and not neglected, fearing cancer.
Risk factors for cancer:
Age: Probability of having cancer increases with age, though it can occur in any age group, including infants.
Tobacco: Majority of all cancers are related to tobacco use.Passive smokers are also at an increased risk.smokeless tobacco, like chewing, causes oral cancer.
Family history of cancer: History of cancer in parents, brothers and sisters who are first degree relatives are at increased risk in the individual.Feautures suggesting familial pattern are,
– Cancer at an early age
– Two or more relatives with same cancer
– Multiple cancers in same individual
Ionizing radiation/UV radiation: Electro magnetic radiation in mobile towers and phones are possible causes but the extent of damage is yet to be proven.
Industrial carcinogens: Benzene, asbestos, vinyl chloride exposed persons are at increased risk.
Hormones: Hormone replacement therapy for long duration in post menopausal women increases the risk of breast cancer Human Pappilloma virus, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
