CAUSES OF CANCER IN THE MODERN WORLD

Аннотация

The existence of cancer has been known for thousands of years, yet its rates continue to grow despite advances in medicine and human development indexes. In fact, over 35 million new cancer cases are predicted in 2050, a 77% increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022. This article will try to highlight key factors in cancer growth and its preventive measures. Keywords: cancer, obesity, alcohol, tobacco, environmental pollution Introduction: The fast-increasing worldwide cancer burden is a result of changes in risk factor exposure, many of which are linked to socioeconomic development as well as population increase and aging. Obesity, alcohol, and tobacco use are the main causes of the rising cancer incidence, while environmental pollution continues to be a major contributor to environmental risk factors. HOW CAN OBESITY CAUSE CANCER? Numerous theories have been put forth to explain how obesity may raise the chance of developing certain types of cancer. Excess estrogen produced by fat tissue, also known as adipose tissue, has been linked to an increased risk of ovarian, endometrial, breast, and several other cancers. Blood levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are frequently elevated in obese individuals. Insulin resistance causes high insulin levels, or hyperinsulinemia, which occurs before type 2 diabetes, another proven risk factor for cancer. High insulin and IGF-1 levels may encourage the growth of malignancies of the colon, kidney, prostate, and endometrium. Chronic inflammatory diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and gallstones are common in obese people. These illnesses may result in oxidative stress, which damages DNA and raises the risk of malignancies of the biliary system and other organs. Adipokines are hormones produced by fat cells that have the ability to either promote or hinder cell proliferation. For instance, as body fat increases, so does the blood's concentration of the adipokine leptin, and elevated leptin levels might encourage 309 ISSN (E): 2181-4570 ResearchBib Impact Factor: 6,4 / 2023 SJIF 2024 = 5.073/Volume-2, Issue-11 abnormal cell division. Adiponectin, another adipokine, may have antiproliferative properties that prevent the growth of tumors and is less prevalent in obese individuals than in those who are healthy in weight. Other metabolic and cell growth regulators, such as AMP-activated protein kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), may also be impacted, both directly and indirectly, by fat cells. Obesity may also influence cancer risk through altered tumor immunology and modifications to the mechanical characteristics of the scaffolding tissue surrounding growing tumors. Obesity can have biological impacts as well as make screening and management more challenging. For instance, women who are overweight or obese are more likely to get cervical cancer than women who are of a healthy weight. This is probably because cervical cancer screening is less successful in these people. EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON CANCER Alcohol may raise the risk of cancer in a number of ways, according to research, including converting ethanol in alcoholic beverages into acetaldehyde, a hazardous chemical and likely human carcinogen, which can harm proteins and DNA (the genetic material that makes up genes). Acetaldehyde also produces reactive oxygen species, which are chemically reactive molecules that contain oxygen and can harm the body's lipids (fats), proteins, and DNA through a process known as oxidation. Hindring the body's capacity to absorb and digest a number of nutrients that may be linked to the risk of cancer, such as carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and nutrients in the vitamin B complex, such as folate. rising levels of the sex hormone estrogen in the blood, which is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer A number of carcinogenic pollutants, including nitrosamines, asbestos fibers, phenols, and hydrocarbons, may also be present in alcoholic beverages as a result of fermentation and manufacture. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TOBACCO AND CANCER One of the main causes of cancer and cancer-related deaths is tobacco usage. Because tobacco products and secondhand smoke include numerous chemicals that damage DNA, 310 ISSN (E): 2181-4570 ResearchBib Impact Factor: 6,4 / 2023 SJIF 2024 = 5.073/Volume-2, Issue-11 people who use tobacco products or are frequently around environmental tobacco smoke, also known as secondhand smoke, are more likely to develop cancer. Numerous cancers are brought on by tobacco use, including acute myeloid leukemia and cancers of the lung, larynx (voice box), mouth, esophagus, throat, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas, colon, and rectum, as well as the cervix. Individuals who use smokeless tobacco, such as snuff or chewing tobacco, are more likely to develop pancreatic, esophageal, and oral malignancies. Tobacco use has no safe threshold. It is highly recommended that everyone who us