Each cell comprises of DNA packed with
numerous individual genes that have a set
of instructions to guide each cell on its
function, division and growth. In the event
that there are errors in these instructions,
the cell will stop its normal functioning
and it will become cancerous growing at
an abnormal rate.
So, what causes the changes in the
DNA of the cells? Even though the real
causes of cancer remain unknown, we
have several risk factors that increase the
chances of contracting the deadly disease.
Some of these risk factors include the use
of tobacco, bad alcohol habits, exposure
to harmful environment carcinogens,
infectious ailments like HIV/AIDS,
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV ), and
Hepatitis B & C, bacterial infections as
well as parasitic infestations.
Risk Factors
While doctors have an idea of what may
increase your risk of cancer, the majority
of cancers occur in people who don't have
any known risk factors. Factors known to
increase your risk of cancer include Your
age: Cancer can take decades to develop.
That's why most people diagnosed with
cancer are 65 or older. While it's more
common in older adults, cancer isn't
exclusively an adult disease - cancer can
be diagnosed at any age. This is why the
call for regular screening cannot be over-
emphasized, given that the earlier you
diagnose the disease, the higher your
chances for getting cured are.
Your habits: Certain lifestyle choices
are known to increase your risk of
cancer. Smoking, drinking more than
one alcoholic drink a day (for women of
all ages and men older than age 65) or
two drinks a day (for men age 65 and
younger), excessive exposure to the sun or
frequent blistering sunburns, being obese,
and having unsafe sex can contribute to
cancer. You can change these habits to
lower your risk of cancer - though some
habits are easier to change than others.
Your family history: Only a small
portion of cancers are due to an inherited
condition. If cancer is common in your
family, it's possible that mutations are
being passed from one generation to the
next. You might be a candidate for genetic
testing to see whether you have inherited
mutations that might increase your risk of
certain cancers. Keep in mind that having
an inherited genetic mutation doesn't
38 MAL31/19 ISSUE
In 2015, The Daily Nation reported that
the rate of death from cancer in Kenya
is far outpacing population growth and
may double by 2026! The report contin-
ued that “cancer is now the third leading
cause of death in Kenya and is threat-
ening to move further up the list of top
killers in the coming decade”.
necessarily mean you'll get cancer.
Your health conditions: Some chronic
health conditions, such as ulcerative
colitis, can markedly increase your risk of
developing certain cancers. Talk to your
doctor about your risk.
Your environment: The environment
around you may contain harmful
chemicals that can increase your risk
of cancer. Even if you don't smoke, you
might inhale second hand smoke if you go
where people are smoking or if you live
with someone who smokes. Chemicals in
your home or workplace, such as asbestos
and benzene, also are associated with an
increased risk of cancer.
Complications
Cancer and its treatment can cause
several complications, including Pain:
Pain can be caused by cancer or by cancer
treatment, though not all cancer is painful.
Medications and other approaches can
effectively treat cancer-related pain.
Fatigue: Fatigue in people with cancer has
many causes, but it can often be managed.
Fatigue associated with chemotherapy or
radiation therapy treatments is common,
but it's usually temporary.
Difficulty breathing: Cancer or cancer
treatment may cause a feeling of being
short of breath. Treatments may bring
relief.
Nausea: Certain cancers and cancer
treatments can cause nausea. Your doctor
can sometimes predict if your treatment
is likely to cause nausea. Medications and
other treatments may help you prevent or
decrease nausea.
Diarrhea or constipation: Cancer and
cancer treatment can affect your bowels
and cause diarrhea or constipation.
Weight loss: Cancer and cancer treatment
may cause weight loss. Cancer steals food
from normal cells and deprives them of
nutrients. This is often not affected by
how many calories or what kind of food is
eaten; it's difficult to treat. In most cases,
using artificial nutrition through tubes
into the stomach or vein does not help
change the weight loss.
Chemical changes in your body: Cancer
can upset the normal chemical balance in
your body and increase your risk of serious
complications. Signs and symptoms
of chemical imbalances might include
excessive thirst, frequent urination,
constipation and confusion.
Brain and nervous system problems:
Cancer can press on nearby nerves and
cause pain and loss of function of one part
of your body. Cancer that involves the
brain can cause headaches and stroke-like
signs and symptoms, such as weakness on
one side of your body.
Unusual immune system reactions to
cancer: In some cases, the body's immune
system may react to the presence of
cancer by attacking healthy cells. Called
paraneoplastic syndrome, these very rare
reactions can lead to a variety of signs and
symptoms, such as difficulty walking and
seizures.
Cancer that spreads: As cancer advances,
it may spread (metastasize) to other parts
of the body. Where cancer spreads depend
on the type of cancer.
Cancer that returns: Cancer survivors
have a risk of cancer recurrence. Some
cancers are more likely to recur than others.
Ask your doctor about what you can do