Cancer Synthesis Essay

“Cancer is an intricate and potentially lethal collaboration of genes gone awry, of growth inhibitors gone missing, of hormones and epigenomes changing, and rogue cells breaking free.” There are many causes of cancer including genetics, tobacco, physical activity, UV exposure, radiation, and one's environment.

A majority of cancer cases are caused from cells that get mutations, but other times they happen randomly as the cell divides and makes new cells. According to the American Cancer Society, “Some acquired mutations can be caused by things that we are exposed to in our environment, including cigarette smoke, radiation, hormones, and diet. Other mutations have no clear cause, and seem to occur randomly as the cells divide.” Meaning that sometimes cancer just happens, and you have no control over it, and other times it is caused by something you can have some control over. For example you have no control over how your cells divide, but you do have control over something like tobacco smoke. People can also have gene variants, meaning the gene is different than normal, but it isn't a mutation. Gene variants can indirectly cause cancer because they have the possibility to affect hormone

An article from the American Cancer Society states that, “Cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths.” (Source 1) Meaning that it has been proven, smoking puts you at huge health related risks. According to the American Cancer Society, “ Besides lung cancer, tobacco use also increases the risk for cancers of the mouth, lips, nose and sinuses, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterus, cervix, colon/rectum, ovary, and acute myeloid leukemia.” After hearing this I believe it is safe to say tobacco use is one of the most preventable cancer carcinogens there are. Along with tobacco use, diet and physical activity is another one of the main preventable