Cancer is caused by genetic mutations that accumulate over time in the DNA of a cell. These mutations can be caused by lifestyle and environmental factors, as well as occurring by random chance. Together, these factors all contribute to the development of cancer. But what exactly increases our chance of getting cancer?
For a cancer cell to develop, several genetic mutations need to happen in genes that control when, and how much, cells divide. Mutations to these genes cause cells to divide in an uncontrolled way, one of the hallmarks of cancer.
The natural processes of life generate molecules that damage DNA and cause mutations. The good news is that our cells have evolved repair kits to fix mutations and prevent cancer from developing.
Things outside our body in our environment and our lifestyle can also cause genetic mutation. Our cells can repair many of these mutations but continued exposure over time can cause more damage than they can cope with, which is when mutations emerge that can cause cancer. Some types of cancer are also caused by infection with a virus, such as the cervical cancer virus, HPV. This virus enter cells and produces proteins that tell the cell to divide in an uncontrolled way.
What increases your risk of cancer?
For most people the biggest risk factors for cancer are things we can't do anything about - aging and having a family history of cancer. The older you are the more likely you are to develop cancer. And if cancer runs in your family, you are at greater risk of developing cancer - though it's estimated that only 1 in 10 cases of cancer are caused by a family history of the disease.
Do lifestyle choices cause cancer?
There are many things that we're told to avoid because they cause cancer. But the things we know for sure to do to lower our risk of cancer are:
Not smoking
Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of cancer in the world and is the number one cause of lung cancer, responsible for around 7 out of 10 cases in the UK. Not smoking at all is one of the most important things someone can do to reduce their chance of getting cancer.
Maintaining a healthy weight
It is thought that about 1 in 20 cancers are linked to obesity, and the longer you are overweight for and the more weight you carry, the higher the risk is – though it is important to remember that not everyone who is obese will develop cancer in their lifetime, and being a healthy weight does not preclude you from developing it either.
Eating a balanced diet
Despite what you may have read online, there is no food that will cause or prevent cancer. The best way to reduce your risk of cancer is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. This will also help you maintain a healthy weight, which will also help reduce your risk of cancer.
Being physically active
Physical activity has been shown to reduce your risk of cancer although the exact mechanism is unclear. It is likely due to a combination of effects that are directly caused by being active and knock-on effects such as helping to maintain a healthy weight.
Limiting how much alcohol you drink
All the best available evidence (for which there is a lot) tells us that drinking alcohol causes seven types of cancer. It doesn’t matter what you drink and it doesn’t matter how you drink it. Alcohol is a carcinogen. Alcohol causes cancer.
Protecting yourself from the sun
It's important to wear sunscreen and avoid prolonged periods of direct exposure to the sun because it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
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