| Cancer can occur in many areas of the body and | | | | every cigarette you smoke, you are giving up 15 |
| behaves differently depending on its type and | | | | minutes of your life! |
| origin. Cancer consists of more than 100 different | | | | - Environmental exposure: Air pollution caused by |
| diseases, all characterized by the uncontrolled | | | | industrial plant emissions and automobile exhaust |
| growth and spread of abnormal cells. Cancer is a | | | | fumes have been linked to cancer formation. |
| major health problem in North America, striking an | | | | Secondhand smoke is the strongest link to |
| estimated 1.4 million people a year and rising. It | | | | air-pollution cancers. Exposure to radioactive |
| strikes men, women and children in every country | | | | emissions from radon in uranium is known to be |
| of the world and it is the second leading cause of | | | | responsible for the increased risk of lung cancer. |
| death in the United States. | | | | Recently, concern has been focused on radon |
| Every organ in the human body, the lungs, breast, | | | | exposure in homes due to airtight insulation; radon |
| colon, and brain, consists of specialized cells that | | | | can enter the home from the soil, the water, or |
| execute particular functions, such as transport of | | | | from building materials. |
| oxygen, digestion of foods and nutrients, | | | | - Water pollution: Drinking water contains complex |
| excretion of body wastes, reproduction, etc. In | | | | mixtures of known and suspected carcinogens |
| order for each organ to function as it should, | | | | including asbestos, metals, radioactive substances, |
| exhausted or injured cells must be replaced or | | | | and industrial chemicals. Even the process of |
| repaired. Normal and healthy cells have a code of | | | | treating water may in turn create small quantities |
| conduct which dictates when they divide, grow, | | | | of chemicals linked to cancer. |
| maintain, or execute a particular function. In | | | | - Alcohol consumption: Excessive and regular |
| healthy adult organs, an equal number of cells are | | | | consumption of alcoholic beverages increases the |
| produced in the body each day to replace dead or | | | | risk of cancer, particularly of the mouth, pharynx, |
| damaged cells. | | | | larynx, and esophagus. An increased incidence of |
| In contrast, cancerous cells disregard this code of | | | | liver cancer has been documented among people |
| conduct, causing an imbalance between the | | | | with cirrhosis caused by excessive alcohol |
| number of new cells produced and the number of | | | | consumption and alcoholism. |
| old cells that die and should be shed. This | | | | - Diet: Deep-fried, processed foods, high sodium, |
| imbalance eventually leads to an overgrowth of | | | | high fat, high sugar is the norm among most |
| cells that can cause damage in the body. | | | | Americans diet today. It is clear that what we |
| Cancerous cells don't necessarily grow faster than | | | | eat, or don't eat, have profound effects on the |
| normal cells, but they live longer and can divide | | | | chances of developing cancer. An estimate that |
| more often during their lifetime than normal | | | | death rates from all cancers in this country could |
| noncancerous cells. As a result, cancer cells | | | | be reduced by more than 33% with practical |
| accumulate and compete for nutrients, space, and | | | | changes in our dietary habits. Eating at least 8-10 |
| territory with normal healthy cells. | | | | servings of fruits and vegetables per day is the |
| Cancers that seem to run in families may be | | | | highly recommended. |
| hereditary or may signify similar family | | | | - Sun exposure: Skin cancer is on the rise |
| environmental exposure to substances that cause | | | | because of our love of the sun and a well-tanned |
| cell damage. The lifestyle we lead also has a lot to | | | | body. Use sunscreen to help prevent skin cancers |
| do with cancer development. | | | | caused by either the direct rays of the sun or the |
| Cancer risk factors: | | | | results of tanning salons. |
| - Smoking: According to the American Cancer | | | | Change bad habits and live healthfully. Quit |
| Society, one out of every three cancer deaths in | | | | smoking. Eat foods that help build your body's |
| the U.S. is directly linked to tobacco. Other than | | | | defenses against cancer. Take vitamin and mineral |
| lung cancer, smoking is also a major factor in | | | | supplements. And most importantly, see your |
| causing cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, | | | | physician for regular testing and health screenings. |
| esophagus, pancreas, and bladder. It is said that | | | | |