Cancer Causes & Risk Factors

Women with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma (HNPC), also known as Lynch Syndrome, have a high risk of developing colon cancer and an increased risk of developing endometrial and ovarian cancer. Women who are affected by Lynch... Full Answer

At its most basic level, cancer is a genetic disease, resulting from a step-wise accumulation of mutations in genes that normally control cell growth. The majority of gene mutations involved in cancer are somatic, meaning that they are found only... Full Answer

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of factors that include abnormal lipid levels, elevated blood pressure and blood glucose, and being overweight. While it has been linked with a higher risk of heart problems, a study published in... Full Answer

While having a genetic predisposition to cancer increases your risk, it usually doesn't mean you'll definitely get the disease. In this video, Dr. David Agus talks about steps you can take to decrease your cancer risk. Full Answer

Autophagy is a normal process in which a cell destroys proteins and other substances in its cytoplasm (the fluid inside the cell membrane but outside the nucleus), which may lead to cell death. Autophagy may prevent normal cells from developing into... Full Answer

While an up in cancer cases could be a random occurrence, it may also be caused by an outside source. Getting to that source takes a perceptive eye, coupled with the tenacity of a group of people, the expertise of medical professionals, and the... Full Answer

Iodine 131 is a radioactive isotope of iodine - an altered form of the element that is chemically the same as the naturally occurring element but is radioactive. I–131 is found in fallout from atmospheric nuclear bomb explosions, along with a... Full Answer

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is used in building materials and to produce many household products. It is used in pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard; glues and adhesives;... Full Answer

DES (diethylstilbestrol) is a synthetic form of estrogen, a female hormone. It was prescribed between 1938 and 1971 to help women with certain complications of pregnancy. Use of DES declined following studies in the 1950s that showed it was not effective... Full Answer

Asbestos has been mined and used commercially in North America since the late 1800s. Its use increased greatly during World War II. Since then, asbestos has been used in many industries. For example, the building and construction industries have used it... Full Answer