Common Habits/Practices That Causes Breast Cancer In Women

Globally, according to WHO, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among women and has become a major cause for public health concern. Studies show that genetic mutations and damage to DNA can cause breast cancer development when the cells within the breast tissues grow uncontrollably and form a tumour that deprives the surrounding cells of nutrients and energy.

The following are common practices that can cause breast cancer:

1. Regular drinking of high amounts of alcohol. According to the National Cancer Institute, women who drink alcohol are at higher risk. This is because alcohol is empty calories and can lead to unwanted weight gain, increased levels of estrogen and other hormones associated sigh breast cancer and increased risk of the amount of folic acid in the system, all of which can lead to an increased risk of cancer.

2. Smoking, especially cigarette and some tobacco products contain toxins including cancer-causing chemicals that are likely to increase the risk of having breast cancer or other types of cancer. According to WebMD, women who smoke are at higher risk of having breast cancer than those that don’t. As stated in MedicalNewToday, second-hand smoke such as exhaling the burning end of the cigarette contain chemicals that can cause breast cancer.

3. Eating unhealthy foods. According to Mayo Clinic, unhealthy diets are partly responsible for about 30% of all cancers. These unhealthy diets are high-fat diets such as fatty meats, cheese, butter and potato chips that can cause obesity, a risk factor for cancer. This is because extra fat cells make extra estrogen which can cause extra breast cell growth that can lead to breast cancer.

Other than these practices, several studies have shown that other factors such as age, family history of breast cancer or condition, radiation exposure and hormone replacement therapy can also increase the risk of breast cancer.

Sources: MedicalNewsToday, Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic.

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