Perhaps not everyone knows this prevention is possible in approximately 50% of cases tumors and it is well known that the fight against cancer is not only its treatment, but also early diagnosis or even, if possible, prevention of its development through the analysis of risk factors. Prevention can be divided into 2 types: primary prevention AND secondary prevention. There is also a third type of prevention through certain treatment methods, which, however, are exclusively medical competence.
Related to the topic of primary prevention risk factors for cancer, but how to distinguish them and what are the main associated risk factors? Dr. Doris Mascheroni, oncologist, head of the medical operating department and subacute operating unit of the Clinical Institute of Villa Aprica, tells us about this.
Primary prevention and cancer risk factors
“As already mentioned, prevention can be:
- elementary: compriseseliminate risk factors;
- secondary: equivalent early diagnosis;
Therefore, primary prevention is carried out where possible. avoid behaviors or environments that can alter a healthy body cellcausing it to mutate several times, that is, change it until it turns into a tumor cell,” explains Dr. Doris Mascheroni.
Environmental risk factors
Among the main environmental risk factors that increase the risk of developing cancer include:
- air or water pollutants;
- industrial waste;
- some gases and/or industrial solvents.
There are many chemical substances known to be carcinogenic and there is a suspicion that many others behave in exactly the same way (exhaust gases emanating from engines diesel, radon, painting, mineral oils used in metalworking and printing).
The most well-known material that can be confidently correlated with the occurrence of pleural cancer (mesothelioma) isasbestosthe use and disposal of which does not comply with regulations is illegal and subject to significant penalties.”
The importance of lifestyle
In addition to the risks caused by external agents, which must be eliminated as part of a social prevention program, especially from institutions, it is important to note that lifestyle Each of us can have a more or less beneficial effect on the development of cancer and more.
The most famous Risk factors in our lifestyle presented:
- smokeit should be remembered that approximately 80% of lung tumors are associated with this;
- improper diet, obesity due to poor nutrition is a dangerous condition not only due to the occurrence of cancer;
- passive lifestyle;
- alcohol abuse.
Modifiable risk factors
“Some risk factors can be changed through human strategy, personal or institutional,” the expert explains, “. The best lifestyle choice to avoid most pathologies, not just cancer, is a Mediterranean diet combined with physical activity:
- reduce consumption of meat and animal products;
- increase consumption of fish, fruits and vegetables;
- replace animal seasonings (butter) with vegetable ones (olive oil);
- to drink a lot of water;
- carry out at least the minimum amount of daily physical activity depending on everyone’s age and body size.
Our lifestyle also includes an attitude caution against excessive exposure to sunlightoveruse of which (unfortunately, also due to the ozone hole) can lead to the transformation of our skin cells into a tumor form, so, especially during this period, sun exposure can certainly benefit the body, bones and mood. , but with the necessary protective creams and not during the hottest hours.
Non-modifiable risk factors
“There are also non-modifiable risk factors., for which our way of life or the policies of our leaders can do nothing. We often ask ourselves why a heavy smoker will never get cancer in his life, but maybe instead a person who does not smoke or who develops a tumor despite an impeccable lifestyle will get this tumor.”
Well, it is necessary to take into account 3 factors due to which we cannot voluntarily make any changes:
Taking the first two for granted (for example, breast cancer is known to affect 98% of women, but is present in about 2% of men), an in-depth analysis is required genetic factors”
Genetic risk factors
“Some cells in our body,” continues the specialist, “may undergo one or more mutations due to external factors or poor lifestyle, but our body and our immune system most often manage to block this transformation mechanism and prevent the formation of neoplastic tissue. When our “defense system” is not enough to interrupt cellular transformation and reproduction of altered cells, we observe the development and growth of a neoplasm.
Then there’s one predisposition family genetics This, of course, does not mean that the tumor is automatically transmitted from parent to child, but that the child may have a greater predisposition to contracting the tumor, like his ancestors.”
This is the case with the now well-known BRCA gene mutation (remember, for example, the story of Angelina Jolie), which induces a greater risk of breast and ovarian cancer in patients whose parents have this anomaly.
Colon cancer often runs in families, as genetic factors are often associated with dietary habits that are passed down from generation to generation (eg, excessive consumption of meat, consumption of fats and fried foods, alcohol, and much more).
Secondary prevention
Secondary prevention, on the other hand, is synonymous with early diagnosis: In fact, the sooner you can diagnose an abnormality in the tissue, which over time can turn into a tumor or even a so-called “in situ”, that is, a localized neoplasm, the more certain recovery will be.
“For this purpose screening campaigns which, through tests carried out on completely asymptomatic subjects, look for and can detect signs of the presence of a tumor disease – concludes Mascheroni -. The same applies to mammography and the search for occult blood in the stool.
Cervical cancer was virtually eradicated with the advent of the Pap test several decades ago, which made it possible to diagnose changes in the mucous membrane before they transformed into cancer or tumors at an early stage and, therefore, curable. In this context, it is also worth mentioning the introduction of the papillomavirus vaccine for children around 12 years of age (mandatory, but possibly voluntary for those who have not had it in the past, even in subsequent years): The papillomavirus is the main cause of neoplasms of the male and female genitalia organs, and, fortunately, it can be avoided thanks to this vaccination.
And, in addition to the screening offered by the regional health system, each of us can consciously carry out secondary prevention about lesions that may be suspicious: a deformed mole may contain melanoma cells, and a deepening of the voice in a smoker may indicate initial damage to the vocal cords: so-called “precancerous” they are not mathematically destined to become cancer, but they still need to be diagnosed and removed to prevent this possibility.“
Source: www.grupposandonato.it