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The Most Preventable Cause of Cancer

Cancer cells are always present in our bodies but our immune systems can usually remove them before they become a problem. Many factors can cause DNA damage that forms cancer cells, including chemicals, viruses, genetics, infections and radiation. The most widely known preventable cause of cancer is tobacco smoke.

  1. Types

    • According to the National Cancer Institute, tobacco causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths. It also causes most cases of esophagus, larynx, bladder, throat, nose and oral cancer. Tobacco use can cause leukemia and kidney, pancreatic, cervical and stomach cancer.

    Causes

    • According to the United Kingdom Cancer Research Organization, tobacco smoke contains at least 80 cancer-causing chemicals including tar, arsenic, nitrosamines, cadmium, benzene, chromium, acrolein, formaldehyde, polonium 210 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Nicotine can form byproducts that can cause cancer. These chemicals enter your lungs when you inhale and spread through your body causing changes in your genes, damaging DNA and causing cells to multiply.

    Environmental Tobacco Smoke

    • Secondhand smoke, which is smoke exhaled from a smoker's lungs combined with smoke from a lit cigarette, can cause cancer in nonsmokers. The Environmental Protection Agency claims about 3,000 nonsmokers die each year from lung cancer caused by this environmental tobacco smoke.

    Symptoms

    • Smokers should be aware of a new cough or changes in an existing cough, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, fatigue, wheezing, headaches, fatigue and loss of appetite. These could be signs of lung cancer or another type of cancer.

    Prevention/Solution

    • When you quit smoking, health benefits begin immediately. Your risk of cancer is lower, and those who quit reduce their risk of dying prematurely.

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