What Causes Cancer? Here Are 11 Unexpected Things By Alyssa Lower
May 31, 2017
Updated: May 14, 2018
What causes cancer? While we definitely dont know everything that can trigger this disease, what is clear is that more people are dealing with this disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 39.6 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. (1) Previous research shows that genetics account for only about half of all cancers, suggesting environmental exposures and socioeconomic factors may also play a role. Cancer has quickly risen to one of the leading causes of death, but knowing your risk can help you avoid this devastating diagnosis.
Obesity, poor diet, hormonal imbalance and chronic inflammation are all well-known causes of cancer. But some cancer-causers arent so obvious. What if I told you that daily exposures and seemingly harmless habits could actually increase your risk of cancer? Here are some of the most surprising things linked to cancer
What Causes Cancer? Here Are Unexpected Cancer Causers
1. Where you live. A 2017 study published in the journal Cancer found that in the United States, counties with the poorest quality air, water, land, built environment and sociodemographic factors face increased incidence of cancer. Poor air quality and the built environment (presence of major highways, availability of public transit and housing) correlated most strongly with high cancer rates. These findings applied to both men and women, with prostate and breast cancer most strongly associated with poor environment. (2) Other research tells us that minority neighborhoods face a higher risk of cancer due to air pollution. (3)
2. Scented candles and air fresheners. Researchers measured levels of volatile organic chemicals in six houses in York, England, over the course of five days. They asked each resident to note the scented candles, air fresheners and cleaning products they used including how often they used them. Then, they tested the air in each home. Limonene a synthetic chemical used to create citrus smells, turned out to be the number one culprit detected. Unsurprisingly, the houses using the most scented products tested positive for the highest amounts of limonene.
More research is needed before considering this data conclusive, but when limonene is released into the air, it reacts with ozone to create formaldehyde, which has been linked to a number of different cancers including myeloid leukemia and nasopharyngeal cancer. (4) The dangers of synthetic scents range beyond cancer, too. Fake fragrances are linked to hormone chaos, asthma and other serious health issues.
How to avoid it: By reducing your use of scented products, you can reduce the amount of limonene (and therefore formaldehyde) exposure. (5) Limonene isnt the only ingredient to be weary of. Try avoiding any product that lists fragrance, parfum, phthalates, DEP, DBP or DEHP as an ingredient. According to the Breast Cancer Fund, avoiding synthetic scents is one of the main ways to help yourself. (6)
3. Happy hour. In 2016, Danish researchers published a study linking increased alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk. Researchers found that women who increased the amount of alcohol they drank over a five-year period faced a higher risk of breast cancer. However, the same study found a lower risk of heart disease in the women who drank more. (7) Luckily, there are better alternatives to lowering your risk of heart disease, including daily exercise, eating a nutrient-rich, healthy diet and managing stress.
Besides breast cancer, researchers also linked alcohol to head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer and colorectal cancer. (8) Why does alcohol pose these negative effects? Our bodies metabolize ethanol in alcoholic beverages into acetaldehyde, which can damage DNA and proteins in the body. Alcohol can also trigger oxidation in the body, further damaging DNA, proteins and fats. Impaired nutrient absorption and increased levels of estrogen may also be to blame. (9)
4. Sawdust. Heres one you may have never heard of before. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified wood dusts as human carcinogens, too. One study observed furniture workers and other workers exposed to wood dust were more likely to develop a form of nasal cancer called adenocarcinoma. Hardwood dusts, including beech and oak, pose the highest risk. You can control your exposure to wood dust through well designed ventilation systems and/or respiratory protection. Thankfully, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the U.S. developed guidelines for local ventilation systems for different woodworking equipment. Previous studies now show higher exposure levels than the levels seen today. But regardless, be sure to wear a respirator or mask certified to protect you from fine wood dust particles. (10)
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