7 surprising cancer causers!

Generally, cancer is caused by changes to certain genes that alter the way your cells function. Some of these changes happen when your cells replicate. They could also be a result of certain environmental exposures that damage your DNA (AKA carcinogens).

While some carcinogens may be commonly known (for example tobacco smoke, alcoholic beverages, radiation, car fumes, etc), there are others which might surprise you!

Scroll down to uncover the 7 surprising cancer causers!

While it’s certainly wonderful to come back to a nice smelling house or car, however if you’re using air fresheners to achieve that, you might want to reconsider! Instead of improving your air quality, air fresheners are just masking bad odours. At the same time, you’re also introducing a bunch of harmful chemicals into your homes!

Here are just some of the common chemicals (that CAUSE cancer) found in air fresheners:

• Acetaldehyde
• Benzaldehyde
• 1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol
• 1,4-Dichlorobenzene
• Methyl pyrrolidone
• other petroleum based solvents
• fragrances

Candles used to be made from nut fats, animal fats and beeswax. However since the 1850s, candles were made using paraffin wax (developed from petroleum). This made candles cheaper and easier to make.

But it’s not all good news.. When paraffin wax burns, fumes containing carcinogens (such as toluene, aldehydes and other fossil fuel components) are released.

While an occasional candle lit dinner is fine, regularly burning candle might not be a good idea (especially so in small enclosed spaces). Or if you absolutely have to burn candles regularly, go for pure beeswax or soy candles.

If you’re involved in shift work, this is not good news for you. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has added shift work into the list of items considered “probably carcinogenic to humans“.

Studies have shown working nights to be linked to higher rates of cancer. It probably has to do with the disruption to your body’s circadian rhythm (natural sleep wake cycle), melatonin production. More research are being conducted to find out more.

Rates of nasopharyngeal cancer (a rare type of head and neck cancer) are higher in China (compared to anywhere else). And this is linked to salted fish (known carcinogen), that’s a staple of the Chinese diet.

Eating a diet high in salt cured meats or fish can increase your risk of nasopharyngeal cancer (cancer in the upper part of your throat behind your nose). This is due to the high nitrates and nitrites content. They react with protein to form nitrosamines which can damage your DNA leading to cancer.

While granite flooring or countertop might look great, you might want to reconsider going with granite (as opposed to marble). Why? Because granite is known to emit radon (a radioactive gas that can increase your risk of cancer)!

Did you know: Radon is identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking!

While the radioactivity of granite differs, depending on various factors (like where they came from, the process it’s been through, etc). It’s best to reduce use of granite and to keep areas with granite use well ventilated to cut down risk of exposure.

Tea is potent source of antioxidants, which is certainly good for our health. However if you frequently drink your tea while it’s piping hot, you might want to wait for it to cool down a little before drinking.

Drinking your tea (or any other drink for that matter) while it’s hot could cause physical damage to the lining of you oesophagus, increasing your risk oesophageal cancer.

What does infection have to do with cancer? Well you’ll be surprised to find out that infections and viruses are now linked to many cancers.

Among some of them are:

• human papilloma virus – linked to cervical and ovarian cancers
• hepatitis viruses B and C – linked to liver cancers
• bacterial infections – linked to stomach cancers
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) – linked to lymphomas