Behind every case of cancer is a carcinogen. This is a factor that causes a malignant process.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that in 2012 Russia was in fifth place in the world in terms of the number of patients who died from cancer. In terms of per 100,000 population, our country turned out to be a sad superiority - 122.5. Over the past ten years, the incidence has increased by 25%.
Causes of tumors
One should not think that a carcinogen is just some harmful substance. Physical factors that can cause cancer include radiation, ultraviolet and electromagnetic radiation, sometimes prolonged mechanical stress and even noise.
The predisposition to the occurrence of certain types of tumors can be inherited, that is, inherent in genetics.
The most common causes are viruses, poor ecology, harmful production and living conditions, improper preparation, storage and consumption of certain foods.
There are also psychological causes, such as stress caused by personal problems orsocial upheavals, especially when combined with some character traits.
Weakened defenses
Normally, the human body is quite capable of fighting the threat of cancer. The changes that carcinogens cause at the cellular level occur all the time. After all, we do not live in ideal conditions. But as long as the immune system copes, the person is protected.
Mechanisms are activated that allow timely recognition and removal of damaged cells.
Exposure to carcinogens over time can lead to reduced protection. At some point, immunity fails, and malignant growth can become uncontrollable.
How carcinogens are studied
The chemical theory of carcinogenesis has been experimentally confirmed, it has been proven that there is a direct relationship between the occurrence of tumors and the dose, duration of exposure, as well as the composition and activity of certain substances.
Reference books have been created, the range of natural and synthetic compounds that pose a threat of malignant tumors in animals and humans is expanding.
Many laboratories around the world are working to establish the mechanism of the occurrence of malignant tumors, depending on which carcinogens and in what dose act on experimental animals.
Cell cultures are used to obtain experimental cancer, as well as specially bred lines of laboratory mice, rats and larger animals up to great apes.
Changes occurring in tissues and cells after the introduction of the studied substance are examined using the most modern methods.
Where the danger comes from
Why are there so many sick people? Practically not a single family in Russia was spared this trouble. The elderly and the young, men and women are getting sick, little children are suffering.
Even if we do not talk about stress at work, overwork, uncertainty about the future, resentment and other experiences that weaken he alth, but dwell only on the “real” causes of oncological diseases, many can be identified.
In production, a carcinogen is:
- benzene, benzapyrene;
- asbestos;
- arsenic, nickel, mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium;
- coal tar, soot;
- creosote, petroleum oils and many other agents.
Working in mines, coke, shoe, furniture, rubber and various other hazardous industries leads to a significant oncological risk.
In everyday life they are dangerous:
- natural radon in basements and lower floors of buildings;
- exhaust gases;
- Emissions from industrial plants and boiler houses;
- many building and finishing materials;
- polymer furniture;
- household chemicals, solvents;
- tobacco smoke (especially secondhand smoke), chewing tobacco.
And this is also not a complete list of possible reasons for someone you love to fall ill.
No matter howsurprisingly, many drugs are on the list of carcinogens.
Dangerous food
Where do carcinogens in food come from? How does poor nutrition increase cancer risk?
It is imperative to pay attention to the correct storage of products. Aflatoxin, produced by molds that infect cereals, flour, nuts when stored in damp conditions, is a strong carcinogen.
Extremely dangerous is the use of expired, rancid, overcooked, repeatedly heated fats. It is from them that the body will then build cell membranes, synthesize hormones. Biomolecules built from damaged "bricks" become a source of distorted information that disrupts the correct functioning of all systems.
Substances formed in fried meat can cause various types of tumors, including prostate cancer.
Excessive consumption of not only animal fats, but also margarine, refined oils worsens lipid metabolism. In combination with various toxic effects, this can lead to the appearance of malignant tumors, including hormone-dependent ones. The predominance of Omega-6 over Omega-3 fatty acids in food can also act as a carcinogen.
The abuse of refined carbohydrates impairs the sensitivity of cells to insulin, which leads to premature aging, fat deposition and reduced immunity.
The habit of paying attention to the composition and shelf life of purchased food in the same way aseating green, red, orange fruits and vegetables, seafood, unrefined oils, fresh nuts will help maintain he alth.
When honey becomes poison
Honey is considered a medicinal product. It is used for colds, loss of strength, exhaustion, tuberculosis and many other diseases. High-quality honey collected in ecologically clean places is certainly healing.
But only as long as it is not heated above 50 degrees Celsius, then honey is a carcinogen, because it increases the amount of hydroxymethylfurfural.
This substance is formed when sugars are heated in an acidic environment, it is also found in cognac, carbonated drinks, sweets, tinted with burnt bread, and burnt bread. Honey brought from southern countries or stored for a long time also contains an increased amount of osimetilfurfural. Russian standards for its content in products are stricter than in EU countries.
If you pamper yourself with a honey cake once or twice a year or bake meat in a honey marinade the same number of times, probably nothing bad will happen. But if this happens weekly, then the risk of getting sick will certainly increase.
Therefore, one should be more critical of recipes from cooking shows and glossy magazines, evaluating not only the beauty and taste of the dishes presented, but also their potential harm.
The most important conclusion
A carcinogen is a substance that, accumulating in the body, acts at the cellular level and changes the way somatic cells divide. Their reproduction is no longer controlledprocess - this is the essence of malignant diseases.
The tumor grows and feeds off the body, killing it.
Quitting smoking, proper nutrition, physical activity, a cheerful mood - it is quite within the power of an individual. Improving the environmental situation, observing protection measures in hazardous industries, timely access to a doctor will save lives.
