What Causes Cancer, and Why?

So What are the Biggest Causes of Cancer?

Unfortunately we Live in a Toxic World! Lovingly created for us by the chemicals industry, Food Industry, and even the medical Industry!

Just Some of The Everyday Things That Can Give You Cancer...

Although there are various theories as to what cancer is, and why it occurs, the following contributing factors are often involved to a substantial degree.

Common thread:  Notice the term INDUSTRY...which looms large. The price we pay for all the consumer products we indulge in, all the convenience we enjoy, is not only paid for with our money, we also pay with our health. Cancer was a very rare disease until the 20th century, and it has increased massively in the past hundred years. Many types of cancers are still rare in some parts of the world where industry and modern lifestyle have yet to make their impact.

Decaff Anyone?

WARNING:

SUSPECTED OF CAUSING CANCER.

DO NOT BREATH. WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING.

This chemical (Dichloromethane) is used in the processing of decaffeinated coffee in large vats...to extract the caffeine, which is then used for other things, such as energy drinks and colas etc. Nice. This is just one of many hundreds of chemicals used to process our foods and other commodities.


Also, the term "CAUSES" regarding cancer, is a slightly misleading concept. In reality there are usually several contributing factors that play a role in the creation of any cancer.. The body has many defences, but needs to be helped by us!!

For example, if we smoke, we are more likely to get lung cancer. This is proven. But we increase our chances, by eating a diet that provides no protection, such as one crammed with patently unhealthy sugar and highly processed foods, for example. So which is the true culprit? Smoking or poor diet?  They are two halves of the same coin.

[You might say... "but I know someone who smoked ..but ate a good healthy diet, yet he still got cancer". Yes this can happen, but diet is only one element of protection, and by itself, can only help improve your odds. It is not a cast-iron guarantee. I must add that, (generally speaking), most smokers, by definition, are obviously not exactly "health nuts" known for doing the best for their health. Thus this will usually imply less exercise, and less concern for health in general in most cases.]

Likewise, all cancers are CAUSED by a variety of factors. Nevertheless, we should look at the main known offenders...


Putting aside cancers caused by inherited faulty genes, (which only account for a tiny percentage of cases), cancer is known to commonly be caused by the following... (Just a partial sample of course) There are also many suspected substances, but that's getting into speculation territory.

 These are some of the main culprits:

Smoking         Diesel fumes       Burned / Over-cooked meat

Processed meats     Aflatoxin   Alcohol       Some medical drugs

Numerous chemicals         Pesticides,          Heavy metals

Medical  X-Rays          Chemotherapy         Radiation

Gosh, the last two are a touch ironic! You will notice that the main theme here appears to be consumption or exposure to various types of harmful chemicals and poisons.  i.e. we are talking about the body's reaction to a prolonged cumulative dose of chemicals, or  on rare occasions, a large single short-term dose. (such poisoning of the cells can damage DNA causing cells to mutate and get out of control.)

As proved with chemotherapy, (although an extreme example) toxic substances have a  negative effect on the immune system, thus leaving the body with weakened defences as well as being hit by a cellular crisis. A double blow!! (Mutated erratic cells + afflicted immune system!)

Note: Aflatoxin is a natural mycotoxin found in a type of mould.

INFLAMMATION: As we know, inflammation is one significant factor that often starts the cancer ball rolling. Latest studies show that aspirin can halve the risk of some cancers, (tho it can have damaging consequences to health in other ways, but this anti-cancer action is thought (by medical scientists) to be due to the fact that it lowers inflammation. 

(Unfortunately, many people are alergic to aspirin, and so at risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers. And about a third of 50 to 70 years-olds carry the bacterium Helicobacter pylori which makes it likely they will get ulcers or stomach bleeding, so is too dangerous to be a practical strategy in such cases. It can also affect other medications people may be on., which again poses some dangers).

However, there are better natural substances that help minimise inflammation, that can be included in the diet, such as curcumin which is a component of turmeric, common in curry. Curcumin is also available in capsules. Curcumin has been found to have a very strong cancer fighting prowess, and literally kills cancer cells on mass, according to many, including the BBC program "Food Hospital" which shows amazing footage.

Thus, it follows that cancer is often caused (or promoted) by a type of chemical poisoning . (damage - at the cellular level - be it chemical, or radiation, and /or inflammation that often results).  Similar damage may also be caused by viruses such as HPV (Human papillomavirus)

Toxins are the obvious cause of the vast majority of cancers. Cancer is the body's reaction to this toxic overload, which acts as a chemical 'trip-wire' with DNA in the area of the toxic onslaught, and starts a plethora of cellular chaos. At first this may be the body trying to repel the toxins, or encapsulate the damage, or some other defence mechanism.

However, this can possible spin out of control. Perhaps in the healthy, this mechanism is short-lived, and is almost a non-event, and is never even known about, because the issue is resolved quickly. (no tumour) But if the immune system is low we can be in big trouble.

Cancer in History:

The 18th Century Ushers in Cancer

Apparently, it wasn't until the 18th century that the first reports of cancer appeared in scientific literature—such as cancer of the scrotum (found in chimney sweeps in 1775, caused by soot particles) and nasal cancer found in users of snuff (finely ground tobacco) in 1761.

A University of Manchester study has indicated that cancer-causing factors exist only in modern, industrialised societies—and cancer is fuelled by the excesses of modern life. Otherwise it would be extremely rare.

We now live in a toxic world. It seems virtually everything we consume has the potential to cause cancer nowadays, or alternatively.... hinder your systems' ability to defend against cancer! (which is virtually as bad, but not usually mentioned.) 

In other words, just because something isn't noted as "carcinogenic", doesn't mean it won't in some way hinder your systems' ability to guard against cancer. Thus a substance can indirectly help cause cancer, without being labelled carcinogenic. (Cancers little helpers!)

Example: Sugar: High amounts of sugar will impact the immune system for several hours, leaving you very vulnerable if this is a regular occurrence. A high sugar intake is obviously a disaster waiting to happen.

Modern Highly Processed Foods:

Left to rot...BUT NO!!!

No other lifeforms will eat it!!

Not even mould or bacteria!!

Still fine 6 months later!!!

In any event, there are tens of thousands of chemicals in our lives, most of which haven't yet been properly tested or evaluated for carcinogenic status.

However,  a big contributing factor regarding cancer, irrespective of the above toxic pollution of the body, is a SLUGGISH IMMUNE SYSTEM. If the immune system is compromised in some way, then one is obviously far more prone to cancer. The immune system is the front-line that defends against cancer cells and mutations. (Scientists tell us that everyone has cancer cells occurring daily, but these are quickly wiped out by killer cells) If left unmolested, such abnormal cells can potentially take hold and slowly form a tumour.

Cancer cells are apparently created as some of the 70 Trillion cells we have divide and renew, but inevitably there is an occasional "spelling mistake" - hopefully they are much rarer than mine!

Stress and upset, such as divorce or bereavement, can seriously impact the immune system, leaving you prone to many types of illness. Because of this, the more stressful society becomes, the more cancer there is likely to be.

It follows that boosting your immune system is vital to avoid and prevent cancer. It is obviously also an important aspect for beating cancer. Without a strong robust immune system, you will always be prone to cancer, - and many other illnesses for that matter.

OTHER CAUSES:
It is known that some cancers are caused by viruses, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease. But it is also said that contracting cancer in this way is associated with other factors, such as smoking and drinking.( i.e. bad habits of consumption.)

Creating cancer is almost always a cocktail of issues coinciding. Having a strong, fully functional immune system is the best hope of avoiding or guarding against viruses. And, limiting their progress to do us harm.

So to sum up, the most obvious causes of cancer are:

Carcinogenic substances: (such as those I've listed) which are too numerous to count and mention. But not everybody who comes into contact with a particular carcinogen or has an unhealthy lifestyle will necessarily develop cancer.

Poor diet, leaves you depleted of vital vitamins enzymes and protective nutrients key to being healthy. Thus you can be very vulnerable to the above carcinogens, due to weak defences.

Low immune system leaves you vulnerable to all of the above, but also to naturally occurring abnormal mutating cells which may potentially take hold, giving the opportunity and form a tumour.  (This is proven by the fact that people with AIDS and people on immunosuppressive therapy are very prone to cancer, due to their immune system being suppressed.)

Stress and emotional upset: results in the body been flooded with stress hormones known to suppress the immune system, and leave you vulnerable to cancer.

Age: The older we get, the more likely we are to get cancer.  This is probably due to an accumulation of damage to cells over many years. Also, the body's resistance against abnormal cells etc may become less effective as we get older. As we know, all physical capability diminishes with age, so it's no surprise that the body's defences become less dynamic too. However, unlike the reckless young, we can use our loaf as we get older, employ some wisdom, and pay close attention to avoiding risk factors, eat a healthy diet, and consume foods rich in cancer-fighting nutrients.

Lack of Exercise: A moderate amount of physical activity will pay dividends for health. Many studies show that a reasonable amount of exercise such as brisk walking several times a week, lowers your chances of getting cancer.

Books on Anti-Cancer Diet and Foods to Fight Cancer

Luckily the body has certain mechanisms which can protect us from developing cancer. It is thought that cells which are damaged by carcinogens can normally repair themselves. (But without a healthy diet this vital repair work is probably far from guaranteed.)

Ultimately, cancer isn't caused by a single factor, but a combination of factors that contribute towards its creation. So to a large degree, cancer can be avoided. But perhaps you also need a bit of luck!