What causes cancer?

1. 67

   D Shannahanposted 12 years ago

   What causes cancer?
   
   Curious to see different peoples views on this touchy and controversial topic.

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2. 0

   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   Cancer is a complex group of diseases with many possible causes. The known causes of cancer, including genetic factors; lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, diet, and physical activity; certain types of infections; and environmental exposures to different types of chemicals and radiation.

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3. 87

   krillcoposted 12 years ago

   I'm no expert, but as I understand it, we all have cancer cells (cells that are not 'normal' inside of us. The bad cells (cancer) crowds out the healthy, normal cells. What makes those cells 'trigger' and begin to reproduce is the real trick question, and that could be a great number of many environmental influences. In addition, a person's internal environment, meaning their emotional life and mental health may also impact the process of cancer cells reproducing.

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4. 81

   Georgie Loweryposted 12 years ago

   Judging from all of the "Danger Will Robinson" warnings about everything we breathe, eat and drink,  my answer would have to be that everything causes cancer.

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5. 70

   artist101posted 12 years ago

   Resent findings suggest that cancer is fungal in nature. As many documented studies have shown, a regime of anti fungal treatment, as well as the nutritional aspect addressed, have brought about recovery. Combined with conventional methods. The immune system has the capability to fight off this offender, given the right nutrients, and ammunition.
   It has been noted that when it is removed it is white, a classic sign of fungal infection.
   Some of us have the inate ability to fight back, where as some do not. Sometimes it is our diets, environment, or an auto immune reaction. Where by the body attacks itself. We can also carry an infection for so long, that our immune system can no longer fight it off, and just gives up.

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6. 58

   edsciposted 12 years ago

   The external causes of cancer are numerous: environmental causes alone could fill a book.  Everything from ultraviolet radiation to chemicals like arsenic can potentially cause cancer--it's a matter of the severity and duration of exposure.  Genetics and lifestyle also play significant roles, the latter dictating the likelihood of exposure to carcinogens.
   
   From a physiological standpoint, cancer develops through the runaway mutation of cellular DNA.  Generally, cells whose DNA is damaged by whatever means undergo apoptosis, essentially cellular "suicide."  In this process, cells break themselves down into pieces that are consumed and processed by other cells in the body.
   
   However, there are instances of mutated cells failing to initiate apoptosis--cells like this are what tumors are made of.  They are essentially worthless cells that propagate themselves, while neither they nor their "offspring" break down naturally.
   
   This is a problem, because even non-mutated, functional cells break down after a while.  That's how the body works--cells are constantly being created and dying.  Cancerous cells are a proverbial monkey wrench thrown into the works, sort of like a player who refuses to leave the stage, thereby bringing the whole show down around him.

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