The Causes Of Cancer
Our daily habits matter more than you think in keeping you healthy, but what habits specifically are linked to an increased risk of cancer?
The Causes Of Cancer
Our daily habits matter more than you think in keeping you healthy, but what habits specifically are linked to an increased risk of cancer?
Researchers in the United States conducted an analysis of data linking risky habits to cancer risk and death.
Let’s break down their findings.
Gender Differences
The researchers identified differences in risk factors for both men and women. For men, smoking, UV radiation and HIV/HCV infection was more common for cancer risk.
On the other hand, women had to watch out for excess body weight, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity.
These differences also applied to the risk factors, which we will discuss below.
Smoking
Cigarette smoking was the leading factor behind cancer cases in the analysis, contributing to 19.3% of all factors. It contributes to potentially preventable cancer cases by 56% in men and 39.9% in women.
1. For Men and Women
It contributes to 22.7% of cancer cases in men and 15.8% in women. This is likely due to smoking being seen as a more “masculine” vice, and is more likely to be picked up by men than women. Smoking contributes to 32.2% of cancer related deaths in men and 24.4% in women.
2. The types of cancer as a result of smoking were also analyzed:
Lung cancer (85.6%)
Trachea cancer (85.6%)
Laryngeal cancer (80.1%)
Pharyngeal cancer (56.8%)
Oral cancer (54.8%)
Nasal cavity cancer (54.2%)
Esophagal cancer (53.9%)
Urinary bladder cancer (50.7%)
This risk factor extended to second hand smoke, which was attributed to 2.7% of lung cancer cases. These cases were more likely to affect men than women.
Obesity
The next biggest culprit in the study was excess body weight, contributing 4.8% cancer cases in men and 10.6% in women. The reason for women being at a higher risk is likely due to the fact that women tend to store more fat in their bodies than men.
