Learn about the relationship between lifestyle and cancer

Learn about the relationship between lifestyle and cancer

In the medical field, the issue of cancer prevention has always been a focus of great public concern. The question is often raised: "Is cancer preventable?" The scientific answer is yes. However, this does not mean that the incidence of cancer can be reduced to zero. Cancer is a complex process of multiple factors, including both controllable and uncontrollable factors. If we can effectively intervene in those controllable factors, the overall risk of cancer will be significantly reduced.

So, which factors are controllable? Primarily, they are unhealthy behavioural patterns and habits. Malignant tumours caused by long-term unhealthy lifestyles and behaviours are often referred to as "lifestyle cancers". Unhealthy lifestyle includes diet, exercise, rest and relaxation, etc. It is common among different groups of people, and although it has certain commonality on the whole, it has its own focus on specific manifestations due to individual differences.

Male

Smoking and drinking

Smoking and drinking alcohol are one of the more common ways of coping with stress in the male population. However, these behaviours carry significant health risks. Lung cancer, a typical "lifestyle cancer", is more prevalent in men, and smoking is a major contributing factor. Data show that the smoking rate among men is significantly higher than that among women. In addition, men are more likely to drink alcohol due to social functions. Long-term alcohol consumption is an important factor in triggering cancers such as liver cancer and oesophageal cancer.

Lack of exercise and unhealthy diet

Some men are sedentary for a long time due to factors such as the nature of their work and lack of sufficient physical activities. At the same time, irregular and uncontrolled eating habits and long-term intake of high-fat and high-protein food will lead to metabolic disorders in the body and increase the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer and other cancers.

Female

Poor dietary habits

Many women love to eat sweets, milk tea and high-energy foods, and are sedentary, stressed and prone to obesity, which will increase the risk of breast and colon cancer. Some women also love to eat fried, pickled and barbecued food, which will also increase the risk of stomach cancer.

Hormones and pregnancy

Improper use of exogenous estrogen, such as certain contraceptive pills or substandard cosmetics, and unclean sex may increase the risk of HPV infection, which in turn leads to cervical cancer.

Emotions and stress

Modern women face the double pressure of work and family, long-term tension, anxiety, easy hormone disorders, increasing the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and so on.

Young people

Staying up late

Staying up late and irregular sleep schedule are common problems for many young people. They are often addicted to video games, catching up with dramas or nightlife, and this irregular routine can disrupt the body's biological clock. Studies have shown that this disruption can lead to a decrease in melatonin production, which in turn increases the risk of breast and prostate cancers, as well as diseases leukaemia and lymphoma.

Poor diet

Young people's diet often tends to favour convenient and fast food options, such as barbecue and fried food, with takeaways becoming the main source of diet. These foods are usually high in oil, salt and sugar, and long-term intake increases the risk of diseases such as stomach cancer and colorectal cancer. The unhealthy nature of this dietary pattern has been confirmed by several studies.

Lack of exercise

Many young people sit in front of the computer for a long time to work and rely mainly on transport for their daily travelling, lacking sufficient physical activity. This sedentary lifestyle has been shown to increase the risk of diseases such as colon cancer and endometrial cancer. Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining good health, which can be negatively affected by a sedentary lifestyle.

Older people

As  age

With age, immunity weakens, resistance decreases, and the impact of poor lifestyle on health becomes more pronounced.

Chronic diseases

Elderly people often suffer from chronic diseases, such as chronic atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcer, have a high risk of stomach cancer; those with diabetes have a high risk of liver cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Lack of nutrition

Elderly people like to eat pickled and high-salt food, which increases the risk of stomach cancer; bad teeth, weak digestive function, single diet and insufficient nutrition also increase the risk of cancer.

Health is the accumulation of countless choices in life, and every time you choose health, you are paving the way for your future. To fight against "lifestyle cancer", we need to start from our daily routine and protect our lives with healthy living habits. This is not only the responsibility of individuals, but also the mission of the society. Let's choose health with reason and protect life with action.