35^th Experts Meet On Cancer Research & Therapy

Cancer Causes

Changes that occur in DNA with in the cells leads to cancer. DNA present in the cell is packed into huge number of individual genes; each of the individual genes contains a set of instructions that are to be performed by the cell. If the changes occur in the instructions, then it alters the cell function and makes the cell cancerous.

Gene mutations can direct a healthy cell to

•  Allow rapid growth
•  Fail to stop uncontrolled cell growth
•  Make mistakes while repairing DNA errors

Changes in behavioral and environmental characters also cause changes in the body’s cells which converts the healthy cells to cancer cells. 90-95% cancers are due to environmental factors and some cancers are due to inherited genetics. Cancers are also caused due to changes in the life style, economic and behavioral characters and due to pollution. Environmental factors that contribute to increase mortality rate of cancer patients includes tobacco, diet and obesity, infections, radiation, stress, lack of physical activity and pollution. Agents that have been linked to cause of cancers are said to be carcinogens. About 90% of lung cancers are due to smoking. Tobacco smoke also causes cancer in larynx, head, neck, stomach, bladder, kidney, esophagus and pancreas. Lung cancer and mesothelioma also can be caused due to inhaling tobacco smoke, asbestos fibers and leukemia from exposure to benzene. Absence of physical activity also contributes to causing cancer not only due to body weight also due to effects of immune system & endocrine system. I take of high salt food leads to gastric cancer. 18% of cancer deaths are due to infectious diseases. Human papilloma virus causes cervical cancer and hepatitis B and C virus causes hepatocellular carcinoma. 10% of cancers are due to exposure to radiation like ionizing radiation and non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation.