What causes cancer?

• Introduction
• Abortion
• Amenorrhoea
• Birth Control
• Bladder Symptoms
• Cancer in Women
• What is cancer?
• Cancer Staging
• Prevalence
• Familial Cancer
• Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis
• Prevention
• Screening
• Emotional Effects
• Counselling
• Personality and Outcome
• Holistic Approach
• Breast Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Endometrial Cancer
• Vulva, Vagina, Fall.Tubes
• Treatments
• Mortality
• Support Groups
• Childbirth
• Children and Teenagers
• Diet / Weight Loss
• Dysmenorrhoea
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• HRT
• Hirsutism
• Hysterectomy
• Infections
• Infertility
• Medication Drugs
• Menopause
• Menorrhagia
• Miscarriage
• Painful Sex
• Pap Smear Test
• PCOS
• Pelvic Pain
• PMS
• Postpartum
• Pregnancy
• Self Esteem
• Sexual Problems
• Vaginal Discharge
• Vaginal Prolapse
• Vulval Symptoms

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We know that there are certain risk factors for cancer although exactly how they work is not known. We do not know why some individuals or families seem more prone to cancer although this is presumed genetic (their chromosomes are more susceptible). In some cases it may be that mitosis has been abnormal and in others the immune system fails.

Some infections may be associated with subsequent malignant change. We now know that specific strains of the human papilloma (wart) virus can be linked to pre-malignant and malignant changes in the cervix. Sexual activity is almost invariably a factor with cervical cancer (neck of the womb); the younger sexual activity commences and the greater the number of partners, the higher the risk.

Hormones may alter the chance of cancer developing. Pregnancy seems to reduce the incidence of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Hormone replacement therapy decreases the overall chance of cancer although there is a small (1.5%) increase risk of breast cancer if a woman starts the HRT at the age of 50 and continues to take it for 10 years (Q 27.15).

The incidence of cancer rises with age (Figure 32.3). This is possibly a reflection of the number of times that cells have been replicated from the time of conception or that the immune system has become less effective in removing the abnormal cells. As life-expectancy increases, the apparent incidence of cancer increases. Many women, who would have died relatively young from childhood illnesses, complications of childbirth or diseases such as tuberculosis just a century ago, now survive to an age where cancer is more likely to occur.

Carcinogens are chemicals that increase the risk of malignant change. The most publicised carcinogens are in tobacco and these increase the risk of lung cancer.

We understand that infection covers a multitude of illnesses ranging from a common cold, through malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. Similarly, cancer covers a multitude of conditions that have different causations and they respond differently to treatment. A review of the causation of women's cancers provides an illustration (Cervix - Q32.16 ; Endometriumendometrial cancer ; Ovary -Q32.28 and8 breastQ 27.14).

Personality does not appear to influence the development of cancer.(2008-01)