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What Causes Cancer?
The Impact of Risk Factors

The Sun
   

Ultra Violet Radiation comes from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths. It causes early aging of the skin and skin damage that can lead to skin cancer.

Also called UV Radiation, ultraviolet radiation consists of invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation that reaches the Earth's surface is made up of two types of rays, called UVA and UVB. Ultraviolet radiation also comes from sun lamps and tanning beds. Research indicates that ultraviolet radiation causes skin damage, premature aging, melanoma, and other types of skin cancer, as well as problems with the eyes and the immune system.

 
CISN Tips:

For your protection Doctors encourage people of all ages to limit their time in the sun and to avoid other sources of UV radiation.

  • It is best to avoid the midday sun (mid-morning to late afternoon) whenever possible.
  • You also should protect yourself from UV radiation reflected by sand, water, snow, and ice. UV radiation can even penetrate light clothing, windshields, and windows.
  • Wear long sleeves, long pants, a hat with a wide brim, and sunglasses with lenses that absorb UV.
  • Use sunscreen. Sunscreen may help prevent skin cancer, especially sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. But sunscreens cannot replace avoiding the sun and wearing clothing to protect the skin.
  • Stay away from sunlamps and tanning booths. They are no safer than sunlight. Note: Skin cancer is the most common cancer that women may face (American Cancer Society).
 
Ionizing Radiation

“Ionizing radiation can cause cell damage that leads to cancer. This kind of radiation comes from rays that enter the Earth's atmosphere from outer space (you are exposed to them when you travel in an airplane), radioactive fallout, radon gas, x-rays, and other sources.”- National Cancer Institute (NCI)


 
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  • Cosmic Rays
    • Cosmic rays enter the earth’s atmosphere from outer space and expose humans to ionizing radiation. This radiation may account for a very small percentage (about 1 percent) of our total cancer risk.

  • Radioactive Fallout
    • This can come from accidents at nuclear power plants or from atomic weapon production, testing, or use.
 

People who are exposed to fallout may have an increased risk of cancer, especially leukemia and cancers of the thyroid, breast, lung, and stomach.
 
  • Radon
    “Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste. It forms in soil and rocks. People who work in mines may be exposed to radon.

    • In some parts of the country, radon is found in houses. People exposed to radon are at increased risk of lung cancer.” - National Cancer Institute (NCI)
 
 
CISN Tips:
  • If you live in a part of the country that has radon, you may wish to test your home for high levels of the gas.
  • The home radon test is easy to use and inexpensive. Most hardware stores sell the test kit.

 
 
Medical procedures are a common source of radiation.

“X-rays, mammograms, and radiation therapy all involve exposure to ionizing radiation. An X-ray of the chest exposes a patient to only a small amount of radiation - about the same as one gets from two airplane flights across the United States.

The risk of cancer from low-dose x-rays is extremely small. The risk from radiation therapy is slightly higher.

Screening
Studies have not shown an elevated cancer risk associated with X-rays taken to diagnose a disease or condition.
 
 

One exception to this is in children whose mothers received X-rays while pregnant. The children were found to have increased risks of leukemia and other types of cancers. Because of this finding, X-rays to diagnose a condition in pregnant women are no longer recommended.

For both, the benefit nearly always outweighs the small risk.” - National Cancer Institute (NCI)
 
 
CISN Tips:
  • Talk with your doctor or dentist about the need for each x-ray.
  • Ask about shields to protect parts of the body that are not in the picture.

 
 
Therapy
Radiation therapy may be a part of your cancer treatment plan.

Like other cancer treatments, receiving radiation is a balance between the benefit you obtain from the therapy and the risk you expose yourself to from the radiation itself.

“Cancer patients may want to talk with their doctor about how radiation treatment could increase their risk of a second cancer later on in life.” - National Cancer Institute (NCI)

 

 

 

 
 
 
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