No one knows
for sure how a normal cell becomes a cancer cell. But
scientists agree that people get cancer mainly through
repeated or long-term contact with one or more cancer-causing
agents...., called carcinogens. The carcinogens cause
body cells to change their structures and to grow out
of control.
Are there different
kinds of cancer-causing agents?
Yes. Scientists now believe
most cancers are caused in two steps by two kinds of agents:
initiator ,and promoters. Initiators start the damage
to a cell that can lead to cancer. For example, cigarette
smoking, X-rays, and cerL:'lin chemicals have been shown
to be initiators. Promoters usually do not cause cancer
by themselves. They change cells already damaged by an
initiator from normal to cancer cells. For example, stud-ies
show that alcohol promotes the development of cancers
in the mouth, throat, and possibly the liver when combined
with an initiator, such as tobacco.
What is a cancer risk
factor?
An agent
that has been linked to the cause of a particular kind
of cancer is called a risk factor. Contact with that agent
increases an individual's likelihood (or risk} of getting
that kind of cancer. Exposure to a particular risk factqr
does not necessarily mean that you will get the dis- ease,
but it does mean that the possibility that you might get
cancer has increased. Risk fac- tors are described in
sever always,
There are both "avoidable" and "unavoidable"
risk factors. You can cut down or cut out your contact
with avoidable risk factors, such as tobacco or alcohol.
Unavoidable risk factors are those which you personally
can-not control. For example, the risk of getting any
type of cancer in- creases as you get older.
There are both
"known" and "suspected" risk factors.
A known risk factor is an agent that has been shown by
either studies of human populations or by laboratory tests
to be capable of producing cancer. A "sus-pected"
risk factor is thought to produce cancer, although studies
have not yet confirmed the link to cancer.
Is cancer curable?
Yes. Of all
the chronic diseases, cancer is the most curable. Today,
nearly half of all cancer patients can be cured by modern
treatment methods. Great advances have been made in our
ability to prevent, detect, and
treat cancer.
Is cancer contagious?
No. Cancer is not catching.
It cannot be spread from person to person by sneezing,
coughing, kissing, or in any other way.
Does my diet affect my chances
of getting cancer?
Studies suggest
that certain foods' and some nutrients con¬tained
in those foods may be associated with the development
of cancer.
1
Findings suggest that a high intake of dietary
fat is a risk factor for cancer.
2
Population studies indicate that obesity increases
the risk of developing certain cancers.
3
Other studies suggest that some vitamins and dietary
fiber may help protect you from developing some
forms of cancer.
Current
evidence suggests that by choosing carefully and eating
a well-balanced diet, you may reduce your cancer risk.
For a well-balanced diet:
Eat a variety of foods every day. Include fresh fruits
and vegetables, especially those high in vitamins A and
C. such as oranges, grapefruit, nectarines, peaches, strawber¬ries,
cantaloupe. and honeydew melons. Choose leafy green and
yellow-orange. vegetables like spinach, kale, sweet pota¬toes,
and carrots, as well as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli,
and Brussels sprouts.
Keep your
intake of all fats low, both saturated and unsaturated
fats. Choose lean red meats, fish. and poultry. Trim fat
from steaks, roasts, and chops, and skin poultry before
cooking.1:ry broiling, roasting or baking meats and fish,
or simmering them in their own juices, rather than frying
them. Limit your use of butter, margarine, cream, shortening,
and vegetable oils. Avoid hidden fats in salad dressings
and snack foods like potato chips. Choose low fat or skim
milk, low fat cheeses, and dairy desserts. Choose fruit
instead of high fat desserts.
Eat foods
with fiber, such as whole grain breads and cereals;
a variety of raw fruits and vegetables, especially if
eaten with the skin; beans, peas, and seeds.
A well-balanced diet will help keep you from being either
over or underweight. You can lose weight by increasing
your phys¬ical activity, eating smaller por¬tions
of food, eating less sugar and sweets, and limiting
your consumption of alcoholic drinks to 1 or 2 drinks
per day.
Do vitamins change my cancer risks?
Scientists have found some
rela¬tionship between a lack of certain vitamins-A
and C-and cancer. For example, diets low in vitamin A
have been linked to .. cancers of the prostate gland,
cer¬vix, skin, bladder, and colon.
On the other hand, studies indi¬cate that vitamin
A and vitamin C may help protect the body from some types
of cancer. You can get all the vitamins A and C
your body can use if you choose two helpings daily from
the same fruits and vegetables that are in a balanced
diet-dark green vegetables, yellow-orange vegetables,
and yellow-orange fruits.
Does drinking alcohol cause cancer?
Excessive amounts of alcoholic
beverages have been linked to a number of cancers. Heavy
drink¬ing is associated with cancers of the mouth,
throat, esophag1.ls, and liver. People who both smoke.
cigarettes and drink have a higher risk of getting cancers
of the mouth and the esophagus.
