CAUSES OF CANCER
Causes of Cancer is complex. Many things are known to
increase the risk of cancer, including tobacco use, certain infections, radiation,
lack of physical activity, obesity, and environmental pollutants. In 2007,
cancer caused about 13% of all human deaths worldwide (7.9 million). Rates
are rising as more people live to an old age and as mass lifestyle changes
occur in the developing world.
It is nearly impossible to prove what caused a cancer in any
individual, because most cancers have multiple possible causes. For example, if
a person who uses tobacco heavily develops lung cancer, then it was probably
caused by the tobacco use, but since everyone has a small chance of developing
lung cancer as a result of air pollution or radiation, then there is a small chance
that the cancer developed because of air pollution or radiation.
How
Does a Virus Cause Cancer?
A virus is nothing more than DNA or RNA wrapped in a protein coat. What
makes them unique is that they do not contain the necessary materials to
function on their own. They are forced to invade a host cell (can be plant,
animal, or bacterial) in order to thrive and reproduce. There are several ways
that a virus can cause cancer. One way is for the virus that has invaded a host
cell to alter the cell's genetic coding, causing a mutation. In turn, these
actions can result in cancer.
Viruses Known to Cause Cancer
Human
Papillomavirus (HPV): The
human papillomavirus (HPV) is sexually transmitted virus affecting over 20
million Americans. It is the most common type of sexually transmitted
infection. There are currently over one hundred known strains of HPV. About
thirty of these strains affect both male and female genitalia, causing
conditions like genital warts and more seriously, cancer. HPV is linked to
several types of cancer, including cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, and penile
cancers. Recent research has shown that HPV is strongly linked to the
development of certain types of throat cancers.
Hepatitis: Infection with Hepatitis B virus
(HBV) or Hepatitis C (HCV) virus greatly put you at risk for developing liver
cancer. These viral infections are extremely contagious are are spread through
the transmission of blood, semen, and other bodily fluids from one person to
another. Common means of exposure include unprotected sex, mother to infant
transmission during childbirth, and the sharing of intravenous needles (most
often by dug use, but can also occur during tattooing). There is no vaccine for
Hep C, but there is for Hep B. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all
children in the United States and is required for school entry. If you are an
adult, take a look over your medical records to ensure you were properly
immunized as a child. If you don't have access to those records, talk with your
physician about how the vaccine may benefit you as an adult.
Epstein
Barr Virus (EBV): The
Epstein Barr virus is most commonly recognized for causing mononucleosis, but
can also cause a few different types of lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer. It
is important to note that not all people infected people with EBV will develop
cancer. It is a very common virus that usually does not cause any major health
problems. EBV is transmitted through the saliva of an infected person. The
virus is shed through a person's saliva during a period where the infected
person does not have any symptoms. It can be spread through kissing, sharing a
drink, or other means where a person may be exposed to another's saliva.
Human
Immunodefiency Virus (HIV): AIDS/HIV- related Cancers
are not
directly caused by HIV or AIDS, but a combination of factors. It is believed
that the weakened immune system caused by the virus makes people more
vulnerable to developing cancer. Those with HIV/AIDS may also be at a higher
risk for cancer because of factors such as smoking, drinking, and genetics.
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