What are carcinogens? How can we protect ourselves from cancer?

You must have heard a lot of stories like "If you eat that thing, you will get cancer", "If you touch this, you will get cancer". Sometimes you can't even tell whether these are true or false. But in fact, there are things around us, in the things we use, and in the things we eat and drink that increase the risk of developing cancer. Those are the things we call "carcinogens" in medicine. So let's find out exactly about this today. Don't be afraid, being aware of this is the best step to protect yourself from cancer.

Simply put, what are these carcinogens?

Simply put, a carcinogen is anything that increases the risk of cancer in our bodies. It can be something like a substance, radiation, or a virus. So far, scientists have identified more than 100 such carcinogens.

Think of these carcinogens as bad friends who give our body's cells the wrong directions. When they enter our bodies, they give the wrong instructions to healthy cells, causing them to divide uncontrollably. That's how a cancerous tumor or leukemia starts.

How do these carcinogens cause cancer inside the body?

To understand this, we need to know a little about our body's genes.

Imagine that our body is a very complex machine. There is a book that contains all the instructions for this machine to work. We call this book DNA . This DNA is inside our genes. This DNA book contains all the instructions for how our cells should behave, when to divide, and when to stop.

When a carcinogen enters the body, it messes up this instruction book called DNA. It's like tearing out the pages of a book and writing the wrong things.

• Some carcinogens go directly to and damage DNA.
• At other times, our body's own mechanisms for repairing damage to DNA are weakened by these carcinogens.

When DNA is damaged in some way, that is, when errors are written in the instruction book, changes (mutations) in genes occur. Because of these incorrect instructions, cells receive commands like "divide quickly, don't stop." That's when cells begin to divide uncontrollably and form cancerous tumors.

This doesn't happen in a day or two. Carcinogens accumulate in our bodies little by little, and it takes years to do this damage.

How can we get these carcinogens into our bodies?

We are unknowingly exposed to these carcinogens in our daily lives. Let's see how.

• Due to our lifestyle habits: Tobacco (cigarettes, beedis, cigars, chewing tobacco) use and alcohol consumption are two of the main causes.
• From the workplace: Chemicals used in some factories, farms, and construction sites can be carcinogenic.
• Viral infections: Some viruses, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), can cause cancer.

However, the risk of developing cancer from exposure to a carcinogen depends on several factors.

• How long you were exposed: For example, the risk for someone who has smoked for many years is much higher than for someone who has never smoked.
• The amount of exposure: The risk for someone who drinks a bottle of alcohol a day is greater than for someone who drinks a small amount infrequently.
• Genetic influences: Some people have a family history of cancer. This means they may have inherited mutations that increase their risk of cancer. If such a person is exposed to a carcinogen, their risk is higher than that of others.

What are the main types of carcinogens?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has divided carcinogens into three main groups.

1. Physical carcinogens: These include types of radiation. Examples include ultraviolet rays from the sun and ionizing radiation from medical tests such as X-rays.

2. Chemical carcinogens: These are the ones we are most exposed to in our daily lives. Examples include asbestos, chemicals in tobacco, alcohol, aflatoxin, a fungus that grows in some foods, and arsenic, which can be found naturally in water and soil.

3. Biological carcinogens: These are infections caused by certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites.

Some of the most common carcinogens among us

Let's now look at some of the carcinogens that are very close to our lives and that we should be aware of. This information will be easier for you to understand in a table.

What can we do to protect ourselves from carcinogens?

All of this may sound scary, but the best part is that we can take steps to protect ourselves from carcinogens that we can control.

• Avoid tobacco completely: If you smoke, seek help to quit. Avoid even being exposed to secondhand smoke.
• Stop or limit alcohol consumption: It is best to stop completely. If not possible, limit it to very small amounts.
• Protect yourself from the sun: Avoid being in the sun, especially between 10 am and 4 pm. If you go out, use an umbrella and a hat. Applying sunscreen is also very important.
• Eat a healthy diet: Limit processed meats and eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
• Get vaccinated: There are vaccines to protect against viruses that cause cancer. For example, you can get vaccinated against HPV, which is a major cause of cervical cancer, and against Hepatitis B, which can cause liver cancer.
• Take care of safety in the workplace: If you work with chemicals, use the proper protective equipment (face mask, gloves) correctly.

Should I talk to my doctor about my cancer risk?

Yes, absolutely. If you have any doubts or concerns about this, it's best to talk to your family doctor or a doctor about it.

In particular,

• If you smoke or drink alcohol frequently.
• If someone in your family has had cancer (learn about hereditary risk).
• If you think your job is exposing you to carcinogens.

Your doctor will consider your overall health and lifestyle, explain your personal risk, and, if necessary, advise you about cancer screening tests.

Knowledge is power. By being aware of these carcinogens and taking steps to protect yourself from them, you will be able to live a healthy life. And you will be able to live without unnecessary fear.

Carcinogens, cancer, how cancer develops, cancer risk, smoking, alcohol