What causes cancer?

Answer 1

Many things are known to cause cancer.

In general, things that cause cancer are called "carcinogens".
(Nearly all "mutagens" are also carcinogens and vice versa).

Most carcinogens cause only one particular type of cancer.

For example:

• excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the most frequent cause of basal cell carcinomas.
• the most common cause of lung cancer is long-term exposure to tobacco smoke.
• human papillomavirus infection is the most frequent cause of Cervical cancer.

Cancer is caused by not 1 mutation of the DNA but multiple DNA mutations over a period of time, It increases with age because cancer is caused by a multiple of genetic mutations

American Cancer Society
According to a 12 year study by the American Cancer Society (see link below), while fruit and vegetable intake are beneficial in several ways, the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed have no effect on cancer -- fruits and vegetables do not protect against cancer.
The China Study
According to "The China Study" by T. Campbell & Campbell (see link below),

However, animal research and human research show that cancer tumors will only grow when the cancer victim's diet (those who are exposed to these cancer causing agents) consists of ~10% protein or greater.

Some types of protein affect tumor growth more.

The types of protein know to promote tumor growth are:

Milk protein
Meat protein

Fish protein had much less impact on tumor growth, and is considered suitable for 2-3 servings per week.

Protein from plant sources did not cause tumor growth, and could even shrink tumor size. So plant sources are considered safe and are recommended for the cancer patient and anyone wanting to avoid feeding their tumors (cancer).

The best plant sources of protein are nuts and "greens", such as: kale, spinach, dandelion, mustard, and other similar salad greens. The protein content of salad greens is on average 30%, and some spinach has been found to contain up to 46% protein. (Something Popeye never explained to you as a child.)

SOURCE: There are many studies but the most complete study is summed up in a book called "The China Study" by T. Campbell & Campbell

In a nutshell, The China Study began when two groups of lab animals were given cancer causing agents. One group was then fed a diet of 20% protein. The second group was fed a diet of 5% protein. The 20% protein group all grew tumors and died, but the 5% protein group lived, for the most part, long healthy, cancer-free lives. They did not get tumors.

This study was eventually expanded to include over 800 million Chinese people, only to find the results were the same, that cancer is caused by many things, but cancer growth is caused by consuming milk and meat proteins.

So, technically, Milk and Meat causes cancer.

Avoiding hamburgers, steaks, barbecue pizza and all dairy products is essentially the cure for cancer.

Other things accused of causing cancer
Here is a list of items that are believed to cause cancer, according to news shows or magazines. These include items that say on the labels that the products may cause cancer (usually the labels will say 'caution: product known to cause cancer in lab rats or something to that effect'): * tobacco * second-hand smoke * incense * laundry detergent * jewelry cleaner * household poisons and cleaning solutions * pollutants in the air * microwaves * cell phones * red meats * paint * lead products used in makeup

This list could go on and on. Unfortunately no one really knows 100% for sure.

Spontaneous DNA mutations. These can occur "out of the blue", due to unknown causes, or may be linked to known causes, such as carcinogens in cigarette smoke, nitrosamines in smoked meats, organophosphate compounds (used in some fertilizers and pesticides), etc.


Not 100% sure what to trust all the time but that cigarettes is a main cause of cancer can not be denied.

Other causes not given that much thought includes (but does not limit to these):

• Radon Gas from under ground. This gas can build up inside houses that are well insulated.
• Radiation from various rocks. (localized phenomena, some times largish areas should be avoided.)
• Various oils and lubricants.
• Electricity and radiation thereof. (Children in kindergartens with electric floor heating have been reported of a higher rate of leukemia than children in kindergartens with water heated floors.)
• Living in close proximity to high voltage cables. (Reports are both supportive and non supportive of this. Other factors might have been ruled out in positive reports.)
• Various diseases can cause tissue degradation and ultimately the body creates cancerous cells when trying to repair damage because the DNA in affected cells are somewhat damaged beyond repair. Most virus have the ability to affect cells in a bad way, tampering with cells DNA and make the cells produce copies of the virus rather than make perfect copies of the cells.

general process of how cancer starts
Cancer can be seen as a pathological condition, that arises when cells lose their ability to function properly.

Simplified, that means cells can't continue to do their normal jobs, instead they start to produce lots of the same kind of cells. But, because they can't work properly, the cells they produce, won't work properly either. Consequently, there will be a large number of a particular cell type, that became just too many.

Depending on the type of which cells they are, they

- either became too many and just overwhelm the normal, working cells (like blood cell types, e.g. in leukemia), and hinder the normal, working cells (even other cell types), to do their jobs. And also, they prevent the replacement of the functional cells when they get old, worn-out, or damaged.

- or form a mass, a tumor. The tumor can be malignant (cancerous), in which case cells can break off, get into the blood stream or lymph, carried to other places where they can form a new mass (metastasize).

Not all mass are malignant, some are non-malignant, not considered cancerous, but still capable of causing considerable problems.


To avoid this situation the body has protective mechanisms for

- stopping the process of formation of damaged or mutated cells, initiating either repair or, if not possible, the death of those cells.

- killing damaged, mutated self-cells, and foreign invaders, for example.

Anything, that damages or hinders those mechanisms has the potential of causing cancer.

The list of possible

- genetic conditions, (inborn mutations),
- carcinogen substances (toxins, pollutants, chemicals, radiation etc),
- conditions that might weakens the defense system, and
- the lack of sufficient protective agents is extensive, and is been updated constantly.

Cancer is caused by mutations in your cells (which can be caused by any number of things, including radiation, carcinogens, and genetics, or just dumb luck). These cells are flawed in such a way that they reproduce uncontrollably, ignoring your body's natural blueprint, forming tumors. These cells interfere with your bodily functions and will even attack good cells, eventually killing you.
Carcinogens
Cancer is caused by cells growing uncontrollably. Some things that can cause it include:

Smoking(lung cancer)

The Sun(skin cancer)

Some types of cancers just happen and the person has no control over. Environmental influences

viruses

UV radiation
Environmental influences, UV radiation, and viruses

Answer 2

Genetics, tobacco use, chemicals, and radiation can all cause cancer.