Do you see smog over the city or see polluted drinking water in the news? Well, these are only a few environmental factors that cause cancer. Substances that cause cancer are referred to as carcinogen. Once the body accumulates carcinogens like talc carcinogen, you might have cancer.
Your cells are damaged as carcinogens enter the body. Once your cells are damaged, cancer cells emerge. Cell changes could be caused by or environmental factors such as the following:
- Medical treatments such as medicine and radiation
- Pollution
- Lifestyle factors
- Natural occurring exposures
- Household and workplace exposures
So, what are the cancers that are linked with these environmental factors?
Lung Cancer
There are two main lung cancer types: small and non-small lung cancer. If you love to smoke, you might acquire lung cancer. But, non-smokers can acquire lung cancer due to the connection of talcum powder and lung disease.
Talc is presently common to household products like baby powder. Studies also show that talc contains asbestos that leads to cancer. Talc and asbestos have harmful effects on the body, such as respiratory problems and asthma.
Malignant Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is the cancer of the thin tissue linings of the chest wall, the lungs, as well as the abdomen. Exposure to erionite – a fibrous mineral that forms fibrous masses you see in rock formations.
Road construction and maintenance workers could be exposed to gravel that contains erionite, which they utilize in road surfacing. Besides erionite, asbestos also causes malignant mesothelioma and most recently in the news reports baby powder products and shower gel products containing asbestos have been linked to mesothelioma.
Nasal Cavity Cancer
When malignant cancer cells form in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, Nasal cavity cancer is the result. Signs of this cancer include nosebleeds and sinus problems. People exposed to nickel compounds could acquire nasal cavity cancer. Nickel is a metallic element that’s found in our earth’s crust.
Also, you can have nasal cavity cancer if you’re exposed to dust and certain chemicals. It’s best to wear masks and protective garments if your workplace is exposed to nickel compounds and other chemicals.
Leukemia
The cancer of the blood cells is called leukemia. Types of leukemia depend on the blood types that become cancerous. Leukemia occurs most in adults who are above 55 years old. Some studies suggest that exposure to radon can cause leukemia.
Radon is called a radioactive gas that’s released from the decay of elements such as thorium, uranium, and radium. This odorless gas seeps through the ground dissolve to groundwater and released into the air.
Pancreatic Cancer
This type of cancer develops from two cells in your pancreas – the neuroendocrine and exocrine cells. The most common of these cells is exocrine that can develop in an advanced stage. If you’re exposed to thorium, you might develop pancreatic cancer.
Thorium is a natural radioactive metal that you can see in rock, soil, and water. Thorium is formed due to uranium’s radioactive decay.
It’s best to avoid chemicals and substances that cause cancers. For example, you avoid products that contain talc that leads to talc cancer. You need to be aware and cautious about the products you buy so that you wouldn’t acquire cancer. Also, a change in your lifestyle gives you cancer-free life.