Oncologist named six main risk factors for cancer

Every year, 14.1 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed in the world, about 8.2 million people die from it. There are many risk factors for the development of this disease, but Professor of the Department of Oncology, St. Petersburg State University, MD. Anna Protasova suggests focusing on the main ones and explains how to minimize them.

Scientists and doctors already know that cancer is a disease of the genome. For the development of the oncological process, from 5 to 9 mutations are required in various oncogenes and in anti-oncogenes, respectively, stimulating and inhibiting tumor growth.

- Approximately 1% of human genes are associated with carcinogenesis, so special attention is paid to risk factors. From their widest range, WHO identifies six global ones: age - the older the patient, the higher the risks; smoking; obesity and overweight; lack of physical activity, hypodynamia; reproductive problems associated with urbanization and economic development of countries - a woman does not realize the reproductive function, does not naturally breastfeed a child; infections - human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus and other infections, - the oncologist notes.

The theory of tumor growth kinetics suggests that a neoplasm with a volume of only 1 cm3 contains 109 tumor cells, the number of which after 30 doublings becomes incompatible with life. That is why early diagnosis is very important. It allows you to detect pre-oncological conditions in patients.

“Given hundreds of risk factors affecting the development of malignant tumors, doctors need to focus on early diagnosis and management of global risk factors for the development of cancer,” says Anna Protasova. - The main anti-cancer activities are prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. More than 50% of the most common malignant tumors can be prevented through preventive measures.

One of them is the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Scientists from the American Institute for Cancer Research recommend the prevention of overweight or obesity, as well as physical inactivity, to reduce the risk of developing cancer. Breastfeeding is recommended for young mothers, and lovers of soda, sugary drinks and ALCOHOL should stop using them. You should eat less red MEAT and do not use bioactive supplements - their effectiveness has not been proven. The diet should be rich in grains and vegetables.

It is necessary to stop smoking tobacco, which is the leading risk factor for cancer and complicates its treatment process, notes Anna Protasova. If the patient is not able to quit cigarettes, he is advised to switch to low-risk products - electronic tobacco heating systems (ETS) can be an intermediate step in smoking cessation. The process of burning tobacco does not occur in ESNT, which excludes the access of harmful chemicals and carcinogens, along with tobacco smoke and tar, to the body.

- However, the "gold standard" is a complete cessation of smoking - emphasizes the oncologist.

She also notes the importance of secondary prevention - various screening programs that can detect cancer at an early stage, when the patient is not worried about anything.

- The main methods with proven effectiveness of screening work here: mammography, HPV testing, liquid cytology, gastrocolonoscopy, etc. The goal of screening in oncology is to reduce mortality, so effective programs should be used. Screening programs that cover more than 80% of the population have the most informative opportunities, says Anna Protasova.

Information partner Belarusian Telegraph Agency