Blood cancer can be due to various factors such as lifestyle changes, risk factors and even genetic reasons. The important fact that must be taken into consideration is that there is no one specific reason of blood cancers. There are can be various factors affecting each individual which can vary as each body reacts differently to the same factors.
Blood cancers develop when abnormal blood cells multiply uncontrollably, interfering with the regular blood cell’s ability to combat infection and generate new blood cells. One of the most common cancers, blood cancer, is classified into three main subtypes. They all fall under the same group of blood cancers. However, they differ in their area of origin and the areas they impact. The cancer can be acute, that is rapidly proliferating or chronic, which is slow spreading cancer.
Risk Factors of Blood Cancer
It is impossible to pinpoint the precise cause of blood cancer development. According to research, there are some things that may make someone more likely to get this illness. The traits that have impacts in having higher chances of acquiring cancer are the risk factors. Although there are numerous distinct varieties of blood cancer, each has a unique set of risk factors as well as a few in common.
Exposure to chemicals
Benzene is the most prevalent and deadly chemical that can result in blood cancer. this cancer can also result from exposure to chemicals or substances such as formaldehyde and strong manufacturing smoke. Exposure to these chemicals through the air, and breathing contaminated air increases the risk of a person developing blood cancers. Certain cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy medications, can raise a person’s risk of acquiring blood cancer as well.
Exposure to radiation
Radiation exposure also increases the risk of developing blood cancer. Cancer can be due to particular wavelengths of radiation that can damage DNA. The chance of acquiring blood cancer increases with increased radiation dosage. Blood cancer risk can also increase due to the radiation exposure from imaging tests and radiotherapy used to treat cancers. The radiation in the environment itself can also influence the development of the disease.
Chronic inflammation of organs
Generally speaking, the body’s physiological response to any tissue injury is inflammation. The process begins when the damaged tissue releases substances that encourage cell division and growth, aiding in tissue repair. This hastens the healing of the damage. When the wound has fully healed, the inflammatory process is over. Persistent infections bring on chronic inflammation. Inflammations can also be brought on by abnormal immune responses to healthy tissues or fat.
DNA damage brought on by chronic inflammation can result in cancer. It is critical to identify the cause, the location, the type, and the extent of the inflammation. This knowledge aids in the detection and treatment of blood cancer. A key factor in identifying cancer is the function that inflammation and its causes play in physiological processes (such the healing of wounds).
Genetics
Some symptoms are associated with inherited syndromes. These syndromes have a direct effect on increased cancer risk. Fanconi anemia, Bloom syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia, down syndrome, and a few other conditions are among them.
- Fanconi Anemia: Bone marrow failure is a complication of the genetic condition called Fanconi Anemia. In order for the body to function normally, FA prevents the bone marrow from producing new blood cells. It can also result in blood cancer and the production of defective blood cells by the bone marrow.
- Bloom syndrome: Small dilated blood vessels over the nose and cheeks as well as deficits that lead to numerous forms of blood malignancies are characteristics of the extremely rare genetic condition known as Bloom syndrome.
- Down syndrome: People, and particularly children with Down syndrome, are more likely to inherit blood cancer. Patients that suffer from disorders that impair blood cell production have a higher risk. These anomalies then cause them to develop blood cancers. These persons have an additional chromosome 21 segment of DNA, which results in an additional copy of the Erg gene.
Smoking
One of the most significant risk factors for blood cancer is this. Contrary to popular opinion, smoking is a major risk factor for blood cancers as well as lung or mouth cancer. The DNA of this cells can be significantly altered or damaged by tobacco, which causes the abnormal growth and function of the cells resulting in blood cancer. Additionally, it can lower the body’s defenses, leaving it more vulnerable to damage. Smoking even after cancer diagnosis causes the malignant cells to multiply incredibly fast.
Family history of cancer
Blood cancer can be hereditary and having a first-degree relative can increase the risk of cancer.
Diet
The diet we follow can also be a significant risk factor. The lifestyle changes have affected the diet of people, which now comprises of unhealthy fats and sugars. These food items can increase the risk:
- Processed meat
- Aerated drinks
- Refined flour
- Refined sugars
- Farmed salmon
- Hydrogenated oils
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, there is no one particular reason for blood cancer. These risk factors may cause blood cancer. There might be cases in which even without any of the major risk factors, blood cancer can occur. The important fact that people must understand is that there is no one specific reason of blood cancers. There are can be various factors affecting each individual which can vary as each body reacts differently to the same factors. And so, the exact reason behind the contradiction of any type of cancer is not yet known.
