Cancer And The Environment - Essay Example

Cancer And The Environment The booklet attempts to address the relation between cancer and toxic substances that are present in the environment and aims to highlight their causes, impacts, and possible preventive measures. More than 66 percent of cancers have their relation with environmental factors and many of them have their links with the lifestyle choices that people make. For example, smoking, physical inactivity, obesity and others can cause cancers as well. Causes of Cancers Environmental Factors As mentioned earlier, these factors include many life style choices such as alcohol consumption, smoking, drugs, obesity, excessive sunlight exposure, improper or highly unbalanced diet, unsafe sexual activity and others. Certain environments, regions, and areas lead to high rates of specific cancers. For example, Asians are at high risk of stomach cancer and Americans, have greater chances to catching breast of prostate cancer. However, when Asians migrate from their native countries to America, the risk of stomach cancer decreases for them and like other Americans, their risk of catching prostate or breast cancer comes near to that of average Americans (USDHHS, 2011). Therefore, exposures to certain environments, regions, and substances will go on to define the risk of various cancers. For example, people who have excessive exposure to benzidene, a chemical substance that is found dyes leads to higher risk of bladder cancer. Internal Factors There are certain internal factors, within the body, with also determine the likeness of a person getting cancer. Genetic factors, weaker immune system, abnormal hormone system and others are of a few of these. For example, scientists have discovered few rare families that have been passing on altered genes on to their generations thus increasing their susceptibility to a certain kind of cancer (USDHHS, 2011). Despite the fact that these only account for less than 2-5 percent of all cancers, some people may be born with their inbuilt tendency to catch certain cancer. Genes also play an important in this regard because not all people who are exposed to certain environments get cancer. There are millions of smokers in the world but not all of them get lung cancer, however, there are certain specifications in the genes, which increase or decrease the risk of the person to catch cancer if exposed to certain environments. The study of genes for above-mentioned purposes is known as molecular epidemiology, which is a growing field of study in field of cancer studies. Interactions of Environmental Factors and Genes Environmental factors like sunlight, toxic substances and chemicals in the environment and prolong exposure to these factors could lead to serious alterations in our genes and permanent alterations in this regard have the capability to cause cancers (USDHHS, 2011). Despite the fact that researchers have come up with the variety of factors that may cause cancer, gene alterations and increase the risk to cancer but they have still not able to come up with the exact or even tentative amounts of exposure to certain environmental and their combination of gene factors that would lead to cancer. The Nature of Cancer There are over 100 types of known cancers to the humankind and all of them start within the human cells, which are the building blocks of the body (USDHHS, 2011). The human body has predefined and controlled system where the older cells die off after a certain period and younger cells take their place. However, cancer acts like a foreign invader in the human body and tries to dictate its own terms of growth of cells, which is greater than the normal growth, rate thus creating a tumor. When these cancer cells increase in number, they become more powerful and start interfering with the functions of tissues thus depriving human body of performing certain functions. However, this process may take up a lot of time and cancer may even spread to other parts of the body as well before it develops a tumor. Now, alteration in genes, which could be hereditary or acquired during lifetime, complements the increase of certain tumors. More than 300 known altered genes may lead to cancer (USDHHS, 2011). This also explains why older people are at a greater risk of cancer because their cells have gotten significant for all these alterations. Types of Tumors Benign and malignant tumors are the two types of tumors. The former does not lead to cancer since it does not grow to other parts of the body. However, under the later, the cells create the ability to enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors may transform into malignant tumors over time but as mentioned earlier, the process may take several years, even a couple decades. Many cancers get their name from the type of organ they develop in. For example, skin, breast, lung, pancreatic, breast and others (USDHHS, 2011). However, there are other cancers, which are less clear. Melanoma cancer, which develops in skin and eye tissues, leukemia cancer, which develops in the blood cells, lymphatic cancer, which develops in the lymphatic system and carcinomas cancer which develops in organs which are present on the surface of the body. Substances in environment known to cause cancer Carcinogens, which are present in Tobacco, “end up causing over 33 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States. Smoking or even second hand smoke increases the risk of lung, mouth, bladder, colon, kidney, nasal cavity, lip, stomach and others” (USDHHS, 2011). The smoke of cigarette contains more than 100 substances, which can cause cancer. Obesity, physical inactivity, and improper diet lead to various cancers. For example, heavy consumption of red meat, salt preserved foods can cause stomach, bladder, and colorectal cancers (USDHHS, 2011). On the other hand, high consumption of fruits and vegetables appears to be decreasing the risk of the same. After tobacco, obesity is the second largest known cause of cancer. Furthermore, breast cancer, kidney, colon, and other types of cancers are associated with long periods of inactivity. Heavy drinking increases the risk of mouth, throat, liver and other cancer related to digestive system. Heavy drinking with excessive smoking increases the risk of cancer greats. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun has the capability to cause various types of skin cancer. Various kinds of virus and bacteria have established their reputation to cause various cancers. For example, “human paillomavirus (HPV) can cause anal cancer to people who have engaged in unsafe sexual practices. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are viral infections that have caused several liver infections in Asia and Africa” (USDHHS, 2011). High frequency radiation can also play an important role in damaging the genes of cells in the body. Everyone on this planet has exposure to low levels of radiation from the cosmic rays that enter the earth’s atmosphere. There are some houses in which face the risk of having high levels of radon. These homes have soil, which contains uranium, which is always breaking down and releasing a gas dangerous to human health. Almost 2000 deaths from lung cancer are a result of prolonged and high radon (USDHHS, 2011). Furthermore, areas where atomic or nuclear experiments are conducted or areas, which have been hit with atomic bombs, will continue to release dangerous radiation for a long period. People get exposure to radiation through treatment of various diseases such as acne and others remain at high risks of breast cancer, leukemia cancer, and leukemia. Farmers, other people working on farms, manufacturers of pesticides and others who have high exposure to certain pesticides are at higher risk of lip cancer, stomach cancer, lung, brain, prostate and other cancers. Many pesticides have been banned over the years yet many of them that are registered have various dangerous substances that are unavoidable. Various drugs such as cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, Melphalan and others that are used to treat cancers have the capability to increase the risk of second time cancer. However, their benefits outweigh the risk and probability of people catching cancer from these drugs (USDHHS, 2011). For example, Estrogens can increase the risk of endometrial cancer and breast cancer, a drug whose primary use is to treat symptoms of menopause and other gynecological problems. “Benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, dichloromethane (methylene chloride), tetrachloroethylene, and trichloroethylene and various others organic compounds, which are found in substances like dyes, greases, paints, dry cleaning, detergents, paint thinning” (USDHHS, 2011) and others have the potential to cause cancer. Although, no conclusive evidence regarding humans exist but the studies conducted on animals with these substances certainly indicate a pattern. Experts (USDHHS, 2011) have reasons to believe that various types of fibers, fine particles, and dust particles, both in industrial and non-industrial settings contain certain carcinogens, which could trigger cancer in humans. For example, people working in mines, mills and other industries related with sandblasting, crush stone and others face high exposure of silica dusts, which increases the risk of lung cancer. Various industries end up producing different by products made up of hydrocarbons called dioxins. Since they are no use to the industry, industries dispose them off to contaminate the environment. “Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are present in the smoke created by burning of wood, fuel and the burning of other carbon contacting compounds” (USDHHS, 2011). Experts have created several experiments on animals, which tell them to believe that prolonged exposure to PAHs may lead to various types of skin, lung, and urinary cancers. Over the years, arsenic is one of the metals that have been associated with various types of lung, skin, bladder, liver, and kidney cancers. There are many other compounds have gained similar reputation. Compounds that contain high amounts of metal beryllium may end up increasing the risk of lung cancer. The use of this metal and compounds containing this metal is widespread from “defense industry to dental applications, from golf clubs to X-ray rubes, from rocket fuel to electrical components and others” (USDHHS, 2011). The list also goes on to include cadmium associated with lung cancer which is found in “metal coatings, batteries and plastic products, chromium, associated with high risk of lung cancer, found in metal plating, cement and others” (USDHHS, 2011). Furthermore, nickel may cause nasal and lung cancer and lead that may cause kidney and brain cancer. The elevated levels of carcinogens in railroad, mine, bus garage, trucking company workers, car mechanics and other workers associated with the operational business of automobiles indicate that diesel exhaust particles can lead to lung cancer. Like virus and bacteria, fungi growing on food such as grains, peanuts, meat, eggs, milk and others have the potential to lead to various types of cancers. The plastic industry of the United States is famous for its extensive use of vinyl chloride and this compound has earned its reputation of a substance that has the potential to cause lung, liver, and brain cancer (USDHHS, 2011). Vinyl chloride is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas and people do not get exposure of this gas by using the product but houses near these factories, workers near the production process and burning of plastic process increases exposure of people to this cancer-causing compound. Reducing risk of Cancer and Detecting cancer at early stages Since many of the environmental factors that cause cancer depend greatly on lifestyles, people can undertake various measure to decrease the possible risk of developing cancer. Avoiding smoke and second hand weight, keeping one’s weight in moderation and avoiding obesity, regular workouts and exercises, eating fresh and balanced diets and avoiding high calorie, high fat food, avoiding too much sunlight exposure, ensuring that the home has no radiation exposure, quick treatment from any infections or diseases caused by virus or bacteria and others (USDHHS, 2011). Furthermore, other precautions include avoiding prolonged levels of radiations from X-rays, avoiding contact with pesticides, proper cleaning of houses, avoiding dust particles, using chemicals with proper information and guidance and others are a few measures in this regard. Detecting cancers at early stages As mentioned earlier that cancers develop over very long period and early detection can help in decreasing the risk of various cancers. For that purpose, one should stay in touch with the doctors and physicians and go for regular medical and health checkups. Furthermore, people should open up with the doctors about their lifestyle, occupations, environment and others so that if there are any bad exposures in one’s life then the doctor could identify the same. Furthermore, people should try to take regular tests for breast, cervix and colon and rectum cancers, especially when they are old aged and have a family history of the same (USDHHS, 2011). Furthermore, there are some symptoms which if appear, may mean that the person is at risk of cancer. Unexplained changes in weight, unusual bleeding or discharge, problems in digestion or swallowing, cough and fever for long period and thickening or lump in any part of the body. Important here to note is that these symptoms may be caused by varieties of other factors. Identifying Cancer causing substances There are more than 0.1 million substances that are used in American households every year. Furthermore, these complex chemicals are increasing in number. Studying their impact and their potential to cause cancer is simple but in reality, many elements, compounds, and mixtures collectively affect the human body causing cancers (USDHHS, 2011). That leaves researchers and experts with millions of combinations to look for. Researches conduct human studies to find these substances by looking at the general trend of certain people who are exposed to certain chemicals over the period for time. Furthermore, epidemiologists closely examine the reports and bio data of people diagnosed with cancer and compare them with people who live healthy lives. Animal studies are conducted on mice, rats, rabbits, others because they are inexpensive, have shorter life spans, and various cancer related phenomenon in their bodies are close to human processes. However, there are significant differences between the systems in these animals and humans that create problems for researches. Even more efficient is the method of laboratory experiments where researchers conduct test on human cells within the laboratory. These studies are not accurate but they also present results, which are directly applicable and attributable to humans. Deciding on substances to test As mentioned earlier that there are various millions combinations of chemicals that have exposure to human body but the resources available to the researchers are limited. Testing the impact of even substance may cost thousands of dollars and may take several years to complete. Therefore, researchers have to smartly screen out the substances that they believe may have the most impact and test the same (USDHHS, 2011). There are various factors that researchers consider while choosing these substances. First, the more the number of people exposed to the substances, the more important it becomes to test these substances for public safety. Second, if there are previous data, with weak experiments and non-conclusive results about some substances, then researchers may be tempted to check the same. Third, researchers also look for substances that create debate and concern in the public and health circles so that they could address the same. Potency, types of exposure and dose response are three most important factors, which come into consideration while determining the risk associated with various cancer causing substances. Setting Acceptable Exposure levels for environmental chemicals Following are the four factors that are taken into consideration while deciding on setting the acceptable levels of exposure. First, if the substance creates a linear dose response from the exposure to the substance then it becomes comparatively easy to predict the level of exposure which is acceptable and which becomes harmful. Second, however, when there is threshold like dose response which means that various factors such as age, gender, genetic makeup, background and others have some relationship with the level of risk with hat substance. Third, there are various substances in our everyday life which have the potential to cause cancer but they have certain benefits as well. In that case, the policy makers take a cost benefit ratio (US Department of Health and Human Services, pp. 1-28). Conclusion Cancer is one of the most deadly diseases for the humankind, however, unlike many other diseases, which are incurable, cancer, is easily curable, given that it is detected in the early stages. In fact, it is possible to prevent cancer from happening in the first place with a few smart lifestyle and environmental choices. Therefore, it is important to spread awareness about the same since “prevention is better than cure”. Finally, awareness about cancer will not only allow save thousands of lives and dollars but at the same time, the healthy lifestyle will bring about many other benefits along with itself as well. Works Cited USDHHS. Cancer and the Environment. US Department of Health and Human Services, 2011. Retrieved on October 28, 2011: http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/Cancer-and-the-Environment Read More