What are the risk factors of cancer?
As mentioned above, certain cancers, especially in adults, have been associated with repetitive exposure to risk factors. A risk factor is anything that may increase a person’s chance of developing a disease. The risk factor does not necessarily cause the disease, but decreases the body’s resistance to it. It has been suggested that the following risk factors and mechanisms contributing to cancer:
* Factors related to lifestyle such as smoking, high fat diets and management of toxic chemicals can be risk factors for cancer in adults. However, most children with cancer are too young to have been exposed to these factors during a period of time.
* Family history and hereditary and genetic factors may play an important role in certain types of childhood cancer. It is possible that various forms of cancer are present in a family in more than one occasion. In these circumstances, it is unknown whether the disease is caused by a genetic mutation, exposure to chemicals near the home of the family, the combination of these factors or a mere coincidence.
* It is known that certain genetic disorders, among which are the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and Beckwith-Wiedemann alter the immune system. The immune system is a complex system that is responsible for protecting the body against infection and disease. Bone marrow produces cells which then mature and form part of the immune system. One theory holds that bone marrow cells, stem cells, are damaged or become defective. Consequently, when they reproduce to abnormal or cancerous cells. The cause of the defect of stem cells may be related to an inherited genetic defect or exposure to a virus or toxin.
* The increased risk of developing certain childhood cancers, among which include the non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma has been associated with exposure to certain types of viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (Epstein-Barr virus EBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (human immunodeficiency virus, HIV) which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is possible that the virus alters a cell in some way. Therefore, this cell produces an altered cell. Over time, these alterations become a cancer cell that reproduces more cancer cells.
* Research was carried out on exposure to pesticides, fertilizers and power lines, among other environmental exposures, to see if they have a direct link to childhood cancers. It has been evidence of cancer in children from different neighborhoods or cities that have no links with each other. It is unknown whether cancer is caused by exposure to these agents during pregnancy or childhood, or is only a coincidence.
* Certain forms of radiation and chemotherapy in high doses have been linked to cancer. In some cases, ni.ños who have been exposed to these agents can develop a new cancer at a later stage of his life. These powerful anti-cancer agents can alter cells or immune system. The new cancer arises as a result of treatment of other cancer.
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