Answer
There are many factors that cause or predispose to the development of cancerous growths. These can be divided into genetic factors, environmental factors and nutritional factors:
Genetic factors: Certain genetic inheritances or genetic mutations cause or predispose to cancer. Other genes are cancer suppressor genes that protect against carcinogenesis. Some examples of genes associated with initiation, and growth or suppression of cancer are the Breast Cancer 1 gene (BRCA!) and the breast cancer 2 gene--the latter is a tumor suppressor gene. The retinoblastoma (RET gene is also a tumor suppressor gene ; the RET gene predisposes to thyroid cancer.
Environmental factors include radiation, chemicals, and nutritional factors --presence or absence of certain macronutrients and micronutrients.
Tobacco smoke , UV and X-ray radiation are carcinogenic. So are chemicals like nickel, chromium, asbestos and vinyl chloride. There are also cancer inducing viruses like hepatitis A and B, and human papilloma virus(HPV). With regard to dietary factors, antioxidants (Vit. A and Vit. C) are protective, while nitrates , nitrates , and alcohol consumption increase the risk of developing carcinomas. Vegetables from the cabbage family (Cruciferae) and high fiber foods ( fruits , vegetables cereals) decrease the risk of developing cancers.
Work Step by Step
One cannot chose one's genetic inheritance, but there are proactive/protective behaviours that greatly decrease the risks of developing cancer: The following are some such measures:
!. Avoidance/cessation smoking or use of all tobacco products, if at all possible
2..Cessation/avoidance of sunbathing or use tanning booths-- avoid overexposure to UV radiation.These rays can cause squamous cell and basal cell
carcinomas as well as melanomas.
.3 Avoid exposure to x-rays as much as possible, and test living spaces for radon
4. Exposure to nickel, chromium asbestos in air food or drink should be avoided .
5. Maintenance a normal weight as a protective strategy against cancer, for obesity predisposes to cancers of reproductive organs as well as of kidneys
and digestive tract
Consumption of foods rich in soluble fibers is a cancer protective measure --grains , fruits and vegetables. Vegetables of the cabbage family (Cruciferae) offer special protection against GI cancers and antioxidants from fruits and vegetables ( Vitamins A and C ) oppose the damage of DNA by free radicals Fruits and vegetables should be eaten liberally. Nitites and nitrates incured meats should be consumed in moderation, or not at all, because the derived nitrosomines are potent cancer promoters. I also would avoid or reduce the consumption of alcohol to a very minimum-- not more than two glasses of beer per day for men, and one (12 oz) for women). Even smaller amounts of wine or spirits should be taken.
Finally self-exam of breast and testes is also a proactive behavior that has the potential of detecting a cancerous growth in an early stage when the chances of successful teratment are greatest.
