Cancer is mostly self-inflicted! Everyone is afraid of cancer, but cancer is also afraid of you: it is afraid that you will do these things...

Expert of this article: Hu Zhongdong, chief physician of the Health Management Center of Changsha Third Hospital, deputy chief physician, member of the Youth Science Popularization Innovation Professional Committee of Hunan Medical Education and Technology Association

The 28th National Cancer Prevention and Control Week (April 15-21, 2022) is approaching. The theme of this year's National Cancer Prevention and Control Week is "Early Action for Cancer Prevention and Control."

Many people feel that there are more and more young cancer patients around them, those born in the 80s, 90s and even 00s.

In 2021, The Lancet Oncology published a comprehensive assessment of the global cancer burden among adolescents and young adults.

Data shows that cancer is the fourth leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults worldwide. In 2019, there were 1.19 million cancer cases and 396,000 cancer deaths among people aged 15 to 39 worldwide.

What are the main reasons for young people to get cancer? Why do many cancers seem to be self-inflicted? Let’s learn more about it today…

Is cancer really getting younger and younger?

Cancer is closely related to age. In fact, the probability of elderly people getting cancer is much higher than that of young people. Most cancer patients are over 60 years old.

Cancers that occur in old age are mostly caused by the gradual accumulation of external factors, but cancer prevention must start from a young age, even from childhood.

People feel that the number of young cancer patients is increasing, but in fact, the incidence rate of liver cancer, which is closely related to infection and eating habits, has decreased among the younger generation.

A study published in Cancer found that the incidence of liver cancer has continued to increase worldwide, but the incidence of liver cancer in young people has declined compared with the past, mainly due to the vaccination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is consistent in most regions.

Immunization with hepatitis B vaccine to prevent HBV infection can significantly reduce the HBV infection rate and the resulting liver cancer incidence among young people in high-risk countries. This is the result of advances in modern medical and health care.

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As for cancers that are closely related to modern lifestyles, such as oral cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and thyroid cancer, not only is the number increasing, but the age of onset is also getting earlier and earlier. It is recommended that young people have regular physical examinations and develop a healthy lifestyle.

What are the main causes of cancer in young people?

In addition to genetic and environmental factors, the occurrence of cancer is also related to the unhealthy lifestyle of young people.

When it comes to cancer, everyone is afraid of it. However, cancer is also afraid of you doing the following things:

1. I’m afraid that you keep a regular schedule and don’t like to stay up late.

Staying up late frequently, irregular work and rest schedules, and high stress in work and life can easily lead to excessive fatigue, prolonged mental anxiety, and even insomnia and depression. These combined factors may lead to a decrease in the body's immunity and cause the body to be in a sub-healthy state for a long time.

For example, there is a certain relationship between high stress and breast cancer. High stress can cause endocrine disorders. Common menstrual disorders are a manifestation of disorders. Long-term exposure to stressful emotions such as anxiety will cause estrogen disorders to continuously produce adverse stimulation to the breasts, which will in turn induce cancer.

2. Afraid of your healthy eating habits.

Many young people love meat and like to eat all kinds of strong-tasting foods, such as smoked, grilled, and fried foods. Many people also drink beverages like water, such as carbonated drinks and milk tea.

Unhealthy diet is also a major risk factor for cancer.

For example, the occurrence of gastric cancer is related to irregular meals, high-salt diet, and a love of smoked foods, in addition to Helicobacter pylori and genetic factors;

In addition to hepatitis B virus infection, the occurrence of liver cancer is also related to eating moldy food;

The occurrence of esophageal cancer is related to liking to eat hot food and eating moldy food;

The occurrence of colorectal cancer is related to eating a diet high in animal fat, animal protein, and a low-fiber diet.

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3. I’m afraid that you will quit smoking, drinking and eating betel nuts in time.

1) Tobacco contains at least 69 carcinogens, which can cause permanent mutations in key genes in the body and gradually accumulate, thereby affecting the normal growth and regulation of the human body.

Compared with non-smokers, smokers have a significantly increased risk of developing lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, and bladder cancer.

Many young people think that e-cigarettes are fashionable, but compared with burning tobacco products, the harm is not reduced and users are more likely to become addicted.

2) The World Health Organization has long classified alcohol (beverages) as a Class 1 carcinogen. Don’t believe the claim that drinking health wine can prolong your life.

Research has found that 5.5% of cancer cases and 5.8% of cancer deaths worldwide are caused by alcohol, which means that 1 out of every 18 cancer patients is caused by drinking.

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Drinking has a direct relationship with common cancers such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer.

If you love drinking, please try to quit drinking, especially those who get redness when drinking and women should pay special attention.

3) In 2003, WHO (World Health Organization) identified betel nut as a Class 1 carcinogen.

Numerous medical documents published in journals such as the International Journal of Stomatology have suggested that betel nut has great harmful effects on health, and is particularly linked to the high incidence of oral cancer.

Long-term chewing of betel nut may also lead to esophageal cancer, liver cancer, etc.

4. Afraid that you will keep exercising and stay away from obesity factors.

Lack of exercise and obesity can also increase the risk of cancer. Obesity can change hormone levels in the body.

There are 11 types of tumors that are highly correlated with obesity: such as increasing the risk of esophageal cancer, gallbladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, kidney cancer and breast cancer.

5. Afraid that you will undergo early cancer screening in time.

Many young people do not have a strong awareness of physical examinations. They just endure minor health problems and often miss the best period for treatment. By the time they discover the problem, it is too late.

How to prevent cancer?

Be mindful of your diet

Eat on time, do not overeat, reduce salt and oil intake, do not eat moldy or spoiled food, eat less processed meat, barbecued and smoked food, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and increase the intake of high-fiber foods.

Quit smoking, drinking, and betel nut. Try to drink boiled water and drink less sugary drinks.

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Keep exercising

WHO recommends that every adult should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week.

Vaccination

Get vaccinated with HPV vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine in time to prevent and control infections from Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B virus, HPV virus, Helicobacter pylori, etc.

Regular medical check-ups

People at high risk of cancer should have regular physical examinations to detect and treat the disease early. Many young people who get cancer have congenital causes, so they should follow the advice of specialist doctors.

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