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WHAT'S NEW
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4 cancer-causing substances
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Whether you're at work, at home or on the go, you may be exposed to cancer-causing substances. Find out which carcinogens Canadians regularly live with and reduce your risk of developing cancer.
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By Tammy Sutherland
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Since you can find these carcinogens in the smoke from a burning cigarette, they are all present in second-hand smoke, putting non-smokers who are in the presence of smokers at the risk. And no open windows or special fans can remove the chemicals from the air, which can linger for many hours and easily travel from room to room.
If you are lighting up, do so outdoors, away from other people. Click here for 10 tips to quit smoking for good.
2. UV light
The possibility of getting skin cancer from sun exposure has been well-documented. Listed as solar radiation on the IARC list, The Canadian Cancer Society agrees that UV light is a carcinogen that factors into the lives of many Canadians. They estimate that there will be 4,600 cases of melanoma in Canada this year, which is the most serious type of skin cancer, and a whopping 69,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer.
To protect yourself from UV light, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, reduce your sun exposure and stay away from tanning beds. "There is no known safe level of UV exposure that can be generalized for everyone. For some people, even just a few minutes of unprotected exposure can increase their risk of skin cancer, especially from a high-intensity source like a tanning bed or the midday sun in the summer," says Heather Chappell, senior manager of the Cancer Control Policy for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Those most at risk are people with light-coloured skin, eyes and hair; people who spend long periods of time in the sun; people whose skin blistered from childhood sunburns; and anyone taking drugs that cause UV sensitivity like some antibiotics and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Check your skin regularly and report any changes or abnormalities to your doctor.
3. Radon
Every year, approximately 2,000 Canadians die from lung cancer linked to radon, a colourless, odourless, tasteless chemical gas that is released during the natural breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil.
Radon can seep into homes through cracks in foundation walls and floors, and gaps around pipes and cables. Outdoors, it is usually diluted to safe levels, but it can build up and become dangerous in poorly ventilated areas, such as basements and crawl spaces.
To minimize your risk, you can have your home tested by a qualified radon-testing company, take steps to improve the ventilation in your basement and seal any cracks or openings. Visit Health Canada's website for more information about radon.
4. Infectious diseases
The IARC includes several infectious diseases on its list of known carcinogens to humans. "If a disease increases the risk of developing cancer, then it is also a carcinogen," explains Chappell.
The following infections are on the IARC's list of carcinogens:
-Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to cervical cancer
-chronic Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C virus infection, which is linked to liver cancer
-Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), which is linked to lymphomas
-the Epstein-Barr virus, which is linked to an oral cancer called nasopharyngeal cancer, and;
-Helicobacter pylori (H-pylori) infection, which is linked to stomach cancer.
Many of these infections cause non-cancerous conditions (or precancers) that come with symptoms before developing into cancer, so regular screening by your doctor can reduce your risk.
Click here for the IARC's complete list of known carcinogens.
Check out 10 ways to fight cancer with food.
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