These 12 risk factors that expose you to cancer

“To avoid the cancers of tomorrow, it is today that we must act”, this is the mantra of the National Cancer Institute for this start of the school year, until October 9. Advertising sport associated with a large-scale information campaign targets the environment and behavior of each and offers us to make a choice, to make us actors of our future health.

Objective: project more into the future

The campaign is interested, in fact, in the habits which expose us in the long term to various cancers, however avoidable. “We know that nearly half of cancers could be avoided by acting on our behavior and our lifestyles” rcalls the statement from the Institute “but taking action is more difficult when the benefit is not immediate”.

Understanding the link between our habits and the risk of the occurrence of cancer is therefore necessary to bring down the statistics: in addition to the effect of alcohol and tobacco, whose harmful effects on health are well known in risk of cancer, other behaviors would expose us without us taking the trouble to think about it. Becoming an actor of your health again therefore means reviewing your lifestyle choices.

12 habits to rethink to reduce risk

The National Cancer Institute thus provides the main sources of exposure to cancer throughout life.

The tobacco

It is the first avoidable risk factor. Every year tobacco is linked to 68,000 new cases of cancer and 45,000 deaths. 17 types of cancer are concerned including the lungs, mouth, esophagus, or bladder.

The alcohol

Alcohol is the second avoidable risk factor for cancer and represents 8% of cases, or 28,000 new cases. Alcohol consumption is implicated in eight cancer locations, including those of the breast, colon, liver, esophagus, rectum and larynx.

food

Each year, 19,000 cases of cancer are attributed to an unbalanced diet. The recommendations invite the French to reduce red meat, favor unprocessed foods and eat more fruits and vegetables.

Overweight

Nearly 19,000 cases of cancer are caused each year by overweight in people whose BMI is greater than 25. Obesity (BMI greater than 30) increases the risk of cancer of the oesophagus, colon, rectum , liver, pancreas, kidneys, cervix and ovaries.

Certain infections

Certain infectious agents such as infections linked to HPV (human papillomavirus) or hepatitis B and C viruses can cause cancer (6,300 per year). But they are often preventable, thanks to an up-to-date vaccination.

Professional exposures

Asbestos, pesticides or gases in the workplace can put you at risk of cancer. Knowing this can save you from

UV radiation

It’s no longer a surprise, every year, around 15,500 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in France. The majority of them are caused by UV radiation, which can be avoided by favoring shade, sun protection, and avoiding exposure between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Ionizing radiation

Radon, a radioactive gas present in certain French granite basements, is the second risk factor for lung cancer after tobacco. Radiation can also sometimes occur in the case of diagnostic exposures, in particular during radiotherapy.

Lack of physical activity

The latest studies prove it: practicing less than 30 minutes of physical activity a day can also promote cancer (3,000 cases per year are linked to a lack of exercise). On the other hand, regular exercise is beneficial for sleep, immunity, overweight.

Hormonal treatments

Taking certain hormonal treatments is not without risk either: hormone replacement therapy during menopause, for example, can increase the risk of breast or endometrial cancer in women.

Not having breastfed

Women who breastfeed their babies for a long time have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than women who have never breastfed. And the longer breastfeeding lasts, the greater the protection.

Fine particles

According to a report by the European Environment Agency, air pollution is currently responsible for around 1% of cancer cases in France.