Cancer Prevention

Cancer is a genetic disease caused by alterations in the critical genes that control cell growth and proliferation. However, there are many factors that can lead to such genetic changes in an individual.

For example, parents with cancer-causing mutations may pass these on to their children, predisposing them to cancer.

Such cases of hereditary cancer can be prevented with the help of genetic testing. It can help an individual assess the risk of developing cancer and decide a future course of action for screening and prevention.

Inherited genetic mutations such as these play a significant role in about 5 to 10 percent of all cancers.

However, there are also various lifestyle and environmental factors that can increase the likelihood of a person developing cancer.

For example, prolonged exposure to the chemicals present in tobacco smoke or atmospheric pollutants can increase the risk of cancer.

Upon inhalation, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs in the smoke react with metabolic enzymes present in the pulmonary cells, giving rise to reactive metabolites that can directly interact with DNA and induce genetic mutations. Such DNA damage can ultimately lead to tumorigenesis.

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