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Surprising Things That Can Increase The Risk Of Cancer

Some of the top cancer-causing things include air fresheners, alcohol, birth control pills, etc. Read to know the top things that increase the risk of cancer.

By Sravia Sivaram

None of us know everything about what causes cancer. Many people around the world are dealing with this disease.

But we do know about certain reasons that can actually trigger this disease. Apart from the genetic factors, environmental exposure as well as socio-economic factors can also play a big role in causing cancer.

Cancer has grown to be one of the leading causes of death across the world. Knowing about the risk factors will help one avoid this condition. This article will let you know what increases the risk of cancer or in other words what can trigger cancer risk.

things that increase the risk of cancer

Some reasons like obesity, poor diet, hormonal imbalance and chronic inflammation are also said to be the top cancer-causing reasons.

Sometimes, certain daily exposure and other seemingly harmless habits can also turn out to be the top cancer-causing reasons.

In this article, we have listed some of the top things that increase the risk of cancer. Scroll down further to know more about what increases the risk of cancer.

1. Air Fresheners:

1. Air Fresheners:

Nobody wants a smelly home or a car. But air fresheners only help in masking the foul odour. These actually contain certain chemical substances that can affect the olfactory receptors in the nostrils. This will make them incapable of recognizing the other smells.

Other than this, they also add a bunch of other harmful chemicals into the air like acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, methyl pyrrolidone, etc.

2. Alcoholic Beverages:

2. Alcoholic Beverages:

Consumption of alcohol has been linked to increased cancer risk. Alcohol is known to promote the secretion of stomach acids that can damage the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. It can also make it worse for people with peptic ulcers.

It also increases the risk of oral cancer. This is also published in the study 'Aetiology Of Oral Cancer: Alcohol'.

3.Birth Control Pills:

3.Birth Control Pills:

Birth control pill has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, cervical cancer and liver cancer. The findings of the study 'Oral Contraceptives And The Risk Of Breast Cancer In BRCA1 And BRCA2 Mutation Carriers' also mentioned the same.

4. Candles:

4. Candles:

Yes, you heard that right! Candles that are made of paraffin wax, when burnt contain carcinogens like toluene, aldehydes, ketones and other harmful components that can build up inside the house. Occasional candle lighting will not cause any problem. But regular burning of candles must be avoided.

5. Car Fumes:

5. Car Fumes:

Exposure to diesel fuels increases the risk of lung cancer. This is because diesel engine exhausts contain a higher amount of particulate matter that is known to cause asthma and lung cancer.

6. Cosmetics:

6. Cosmetics:

Certain chemicals found in cosmetics like benzophenone-3 as well as carcinogens like formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and 1,4 dioxane can be absorbed by the body. This can lead to skin cancer if used in excess.

7. Granite:

7. Granite:

Boy! That was not expected! But granite is known to emit radon, a radioactive gas that can increase the risk of cancer. It is known to be a decay product of radium.

8. Toothpaste:

8. Toothpaste:

The presence of fluoride in toothpaste has been linked to a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. Toothpaste also contains triclosan that can cause tumour development in the body. This is one of the top things that increases the risk of cancer, which must not be overused.

9. Hot Tea:

9. Hot Tea:

Drinking piping hot tea can increase the chance of developing cancer in the oesophagus as noted in a recent study.

10. Burnt Food:

10. Burnt Food:

Grilling meat and fish can make it slightly burnt or blackened. But this can actually increase the risk of stomach, colon and pancreatic cancers.

When protein foods are burnt, the amino acids that make up the protein get converted to heterocyclic amines (HCA), which are known to be highly carcinogenic substances. This is one of the top cancer-causing substances.

11. Microwave Popcorn:

11. Microwave Popcorn:

Microwave popcorn can increase the risk of cancer. The waxy coating of popcorn bags produces perfluorooctanoic acid, which is a carcinogen that causes prostate and liver cancers.

12. Canned Foods:

12. Canned Foods:

The vacuum sealing in metal containers lined with plastic coating is the main culprit here. The plastic lining of Bisphenol A results in hormonal disturbances and DNA changes that can lead to the development of breast cancer. This is one of the top things that can lead to cancer.

Story first published: Friday, June 9, 2017, 16:21 [IST]
Read more about: cancer alcohol