3 Forms of Cancer That Can Be Caused by Lifestyle Choices

Everyone knows that cancer is something to be worried about, but not everyone knows that some cancers can come about due to lifestyle choices. Many people will feel that cancer is just something that happens by chance, but although this is certainly the case, and it can be a spontaneous and unexpected thing, it can just as equally be down to things we do in life.

Knowing which forms of cancer can be triggered by which specific lifestyle factors can be extremely useful. You’ll know whether your behavior and habits might be dangerous, and this might give you the push you need to make changes in your life to stay as healthy as you can. With that in mind, read on to find out more.

Throat Cancer

Throat cancer can come about due to excessive alcohol drinking and smoking. This type of cancer is also known as laryngeal cancer, and it affects the tissues within the throat. This could be because the alcohol you’re drinking is burning through the lining of the throat, causing the cells to mutate, or it might be because the dangerous chemicals in cigarettes are affecting the cells. In either case, cancer is often a consequence.

If you drink or smoke heavily, your chances of getting throat cancer are increased, and if you do both things, then you’ll have a much higher probability of getting sick with throat cancer. This is why it’s best to cut down on these habits and, ideally, eliminate them. If you have been diagnosed with throat cancer, you should seek expert guidance from Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL to help you make the right choices going forward.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is something that many people don’t think too much about, but it is quite common, and it is easy to do things that mean your chances of developing it become much less, so it’s certainly worth thinking about a little more.

Skin cancer is primarily caused by overexposure to UV radiation, and most of the time we get that UV radiation from the sun (although tanning beds also expose us to it). Any kind of sunburn, general tanning (even without burning), and just being out in the sun without any kind of protection can cause our DNA to become damaged and skin cancer to form.

You must always use sunscreen when you go outside to help protect your skin. Even if the sun doesn’t seem that strong, the rays can still be doing damage, even if you can’t feel them. Also, wear protective clothing, like long sleeves, a hat, and sunglasses. This will all help to protect your skin and reduce your chances of developing skin cancer.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and, although you might assume it only affects women, men can also develop this cancer, so it’s important for everyone to be vigilant and to carry out checks of their body regularly. By checking your breasts once a month or so, you will be able to feel any new lumps that might be cause for concern. You’ll also be able to notice if the skin is puckered or if there is any discharge, for example. Any change to your breasts could be a sign of cancer, so if you spot something during your regular home exams, make sure you make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

You can also make some lifestyle changes to help you reduce your risk of breast cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to this disease, so it’s wise to cut back if you need to. It’s also good to get more physical exercise since a sedentary lifestyle has also been linked to breast cancer (this kind of lifestyle can lead to hormonal imbalances and obesity, which can lead to cancer). Making some changes in your life could make all the difference to your health.