Children, the environment and cancer

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Environmental risk factors for cancer

Cancer can take many years to develop. In fact, it can appear 20, 30 or even 40 years after exposure to something that is known, or suspected, to cause cancer.

A risk factor is something that increases the chances of developing a disease. There are many factors that contribute to the development of cancer. Some of these, such as age, gender or genetic predisposition to cancer, cannot be changed or modified. However, there are risk factors that can be modified and many of these are related to exposure to natural or man-made substances in the environment.

Risk factors for cancer include:
* tobacco use

* physical inactivity

* obesity

* poor diet

* exposure to ultraviolet radiation (e.g., sunlight, tanning beds)

* exposure to certain viruses, hormones, or chemicals in the air, soil or water

Known risk factors account for at least half of the most common types of cancer.

These factors often can be modified through a combination of individual action and healthy public policy. If a risk factor is modified it means the chances of developing cancer can decrease.

Currently, we know the risk factors for most of the common types of cancer. For example, using tobacco is a risk factor for developing lung cancer. Tobacco use is unquestionably the single most preventable cause of cancer.

For some cancers, few risk factors are known. The incidence of testicular cancer in men and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in women is on the rise and there is no single, clear explanation for the increase.

It has been suggested that environmental contaminants may play a role in the development of some cancers, but current scientific evidence has not been able to confirm or rule out a relationship in many instances. This is a subject of continuing scientific investigation and debate.

There is currently a lot of debate about how many cancers are related to exposure to cancer-causing substances in the environment. While the exact percentage of cancers associated with this type of exposure is not known, it does suggest that people who are continually exposed to known or probable cancer-causing substances in the environment, generally have a higher risk of developing cancers.

Among the environmental chemical contaminants known to cause human cancer, most were discovered among those exposed in the workplace.

Preventing cancer depends on identifying factors that increase or decrease risk. The next step is to take action, including putting policies in place so that people can benefit from preventative measures. For example, smoking bans to protect people from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, and banning cosmetic use of pesticides.

Wherever possible, exposure to substances that are known, or believed, to cause cancer should be identified and eliminated by substituting safer alternatives. When elimination is not possible, exposure should be reduced to the lowest possible levels. Other actions include:

* Avoiding known and probable cancer-causing substances.

* Monitoring people’s exposure to cancer-causing substances. This will allow potential relationships between exposure and cancer risk to be identified. And this will lead to actions to reduce exposure where it may pose a threat to human health.

* Disclosure by manufacturers or government of known and probable carcinogens in consumer products. And use of standard labeling/symbols to help the public make informed choices.

Arabic Forum