Cancer is Caused by Uncontrolled Cell Growth and Division
Tumours
Benign - Grows within a membrane, not dangerous
Malignant - Grows and spreads to other parts of the body, dangerous and can be fatal
Cancer survival has increased due to medical advances such as improved treatment, being able to diagnose cancer, and increased awareness of the disease
Lifestyle risk factors for cancer
Smoking
Obesity
UV exposure
Smoking
Linked to lung cancer, as well as other types of cancer like mouth, bowel, stomach and cervical cancer
Obesity
Linked to many different cancers, including bowel, liver and kidney cancer. Second biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking
UV exposure
People who are often exposed to UV radiation from the sun or sunbeds have an increased chance of developing skin cancer
Viral infections that can increase cancer risk
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis B and C
Can increase the risk of developing liver cancer
Genetic risk factors
Inheriting faulty genes, like mutations in the BRCA genes, can increase the likelihood of developing certain cancers like breast and ovarian cancer
UV radiation can still reach us through the clouds, and like many other lifestyle risk factors, we can take steps to reduce the risk, e.g. by keeping covered up outside and wearing sun block
