What are the causes of cancer?

 On February 2 of this year, China's cancer research community embraced a significant research achievement. Academician He Jie and Researcher Wei Wenqiang co-authored a study, and the National Cancer Center released a profound dataset, "Burden of Malignant Tumors in China, 2022."

Derived from precise tumor registration and follow-up monitoring, and presented in the prestigious "Journal of the National Cancer Center," this dataset uncovers the current status and grave challenges of malignant tumors in China.

Alarmingly, in 2022, the number of new malignant tumor cases in China reached a staggering 4.8247 million, with the incidence rate among males noticeably higher than that of females.

What's more serious is that the top ten cancers are like ten towering peaks, with lung cancer topping the list with a staggering 1.0606 million new cases, followed closely by colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer, etc., which together constitute the "disaster zone" of malignant tumors in China.

It is worth noting that this set of data also reveals a fact that cannot be ignored: people over 35 years old need to be especially vigilant against the invasion of six major cancers with high incidence.

In terms of age distribution, the incidence of all types of cancer is relatively low in the 0-34 age group. However, once people cross the threshold of 35 years old, the incidence begins to rise significantly, reaching an astonishing peak in the 80-84 age group. This phenomenon undoubtedly sounds a warning for us, reminding us that as we age, we should strengthen our prevention and vigilance against malignant tumors.

In addition, there has been much debate in society about the causes of cancer. Some people believe that excessive intake of high-sugar foods may promote the continuous spread of cancer cells, which has sparked widespread discussion.

So, is this really the case? What is the relationship between high-sugar foods and cancer? Below, we will combine medical research and expert opinions to deeply analyze this issue.

The causes of cancer may be related to these four factors. It's time to understand them.

Genetic factors

Some cancers have obvious familial aggregation. If there are cancer patients in the family, the risk of individual illness will increase accordingly.

This is because the genetic material may carry genes susceptible to cancer, making individuals more prone to canceration when faced with certain carcinogens. Therefore, understanding family history is of great significance for the prevention of cancer.

Environmental factors

In modern society, people are faced with various environmental pollution problems such as air pollution, water pollution, and food additives, which may increase the risk of cancer.

For example, long-term exposure to harmful chemicals, radioactive substances, etc., may cause damage to cells, which may induce canceration. Therefore, protecting the environment and reducing pollution are also crucial for cancer prevention.

Unhealthy lifestyle habits

Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as long-term smoking, excessive drinking, unbalanced diet, and lack of exercise can all increase the risk of cancer.

These unhealthy habits can damage the body's immune system, making the body more susceptible to carcinogens. Therefore, developing healthy lifestyle habits is important for cancer prevention.

Mental factors

Long-term mental stress, anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions can all have adverse effects on physical health and increase the risk of cancer.

This is because negative emotions can affect the body's immune function, making it more susceptible to diseases. Therefore, maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude is also crucial for cancer prevention.

What are the components of sugar?

The main component of sugar is carbohydrates, specifically compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These elements combine in specific proportions to form the sugar substances we see in our daily lives. Sugar plays a crucial role in living organisms, serving as the primary energy source and participating in various biochemical reactions.

When we talk about sugar, we may think of various types such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, and more. Although these sugars differ in chemical structure, they all belong to the broad category of carbohydrates. Through different metabolic pathways, they are broken down into energy within living organisms to support normal bodily functions.

However, sugar intake should be moderate. Excessive sugar intake can lead to a range of health issues, including obesity and diabetes. This is because excessive sugar that cannot be consumed in a timely manner in the body is converted into fat for storage, resulting in weight gain. Additionally, prolonged hyperglycemia can cause damage to various bodily systems, leading to chronic diseases like diabetes.

Is sugar the "catalyst" for cancer cells?

Sugar, this sweet temptation, unexpectedly plays the role of the "behind-the-scenes manipulator" for cancer cells silently? When we are immersed in the journey of sweet taste buds, we are unaware that those greedy cancer cells are frantically sucking the sugar in our blood.

Studies have shown that when sugar flows through cancer cells, more than 60% of blood sugar is rapidly consumed by them, which undoubtedly provides fertile soil for the growth of cancer cells, allowing them to spread like wildfire.

The close correlation between glucose and cancer cell growth forces us to re-examine our dietary habits. High-sugar foods, such as refined white sugar, sweet sugar cubes, and seemingly tempting high-sugar fruits, have become "accomplices" in cancer cell growth.

Although these sugars are indispensable compounds in life activities, and appropriate intake can maintain the normal growth rate of cells and vitalize life, excessive intake can trigger a series of health problems.

Excessive sugar intake not only leads to obesity but also significantly increases the risk of cancer. Those tempting desserts harbor a crisis of sugar in every bite.

Once intake is excessive, not only will blood sugar levels be affected, but body shape will gradually change. Obesity, a breeding ground for various cancers, silently erodes our health until it completely destroys physical fitness.

Therefore, controlling sugar intake has become an important part of cancer prevention. The Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents clearly recommends limiting daily refined sugar intake to less than 25 grams to avoid the risks associated with excessive sugar intake.

Meanwhile, we should also be vigilant about foods that pose a threat to health, removing them from our dining tables and building a solid defense for our health. After all, health is our most precious asset, and we should not joke about our health for a moment of culinary pleasure.

Doctor Reminder: To Suppress Cancer Cells, Avoid These Four Foods

1. Smoked and Grilled Foods

During the processing of smoked and grilled foods, due to high temperatures and smoking, a series of complex chemical reactions occur, generating various compounds that pose a threat to human health. Among them, acrylamide and acrylic acid are two typical harmful substances. These compounds form quietly during the cooking process, not only destroying the original nutritional structure of the food but also potentially causing serious harm to human health.

Compounds such as acrylamide and acrylic acid have a certain toxicity in the human body, and long-term intake may cause damage. More importantly, these compounds have potential carcinogenicity, which can stimulate the activity of cancer cells in the human body and increase the risk of cancer.

Although everyone's physical constitution and reaction are different, long-term and large intake of these harmful compounds in smoked and grilled foods will undoubtedly increase the possibility of serious diseases such as cancer. Therefore, to maintain our health, we should minimize the intake of smoked and grilled foods.

2. Pickled Foods

Pickled foods, such as pickled vegetables and salted fish, which are common in our daily life, are often loved by the public for their unique taste. However, behind these delicacies lurk considerable health hazards.

During the production of pickled foods, large amounts of salt and possibly some nitrite are often added. These substances, after a series of complex biochemical reactions in the human body, may be converted into carcinogenic substances harmful to the human body.

Nitrite, after a series of metabolic processes in the human body, may be converted into carcinogenic substances such as nitrosamines. These carcinogens can damage human cells, and long-term accumulation may lead to cancer. According to research, people who consume pickled foods for a long time have a relatively higher risk of developing cancers such as stomach cancer and esophageal cancer.

Moldy Food

Moldy food is a particular health hazard that we need to be vigilant about in our daily lives. These spoiled foods often contain various mycotoxins such as aflatoxin, which are extremely harmful to human health. Mycotoxins such as aflatoxin have strong carcinogenicity, and long-term or large intake can pose a serious threat to health.

When moldy food is consumed, these mycotoxins will take effect in the body, causing damage to liver cells. Liver cells are important metabolic organs of the human body, responsible for various physiological functions such as detoxification and synthesis. Once liver cells are damaged, their normal function will be severely affected, which may lead to decreased liver function and even more serious diseases.

More importantly, the mycotoxins in moldy foods may also increase the risk of liver cancer. Liver cancer is a highly malignant tumor with great difficulty in treatment and poor prognosis. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent the occurrence of liver cancer, and avoiding the intake of moldy food is one of the important measures for prevention.

Fried and High-Fat Foods

Fried and high-fat foods occupy a significant proportion of modern diets. However, they may produce a series of compounds harmful to human health during cooking. Under high temperatures, oils and fats undergo oxidation reactions, generating various potentially harmful substances such as acrylamide and acrylic acid.

These compounds not only have potential toxicity but may also cause damage to human cells, thereby increasing the risk of cancer. Compounds like acrylamide and acrylic acid are particularly common in fried and high-fat foods. These compounds are easily formed at high temperatures and can enter the body through food intake.

Studies have shown that these compounds have certain carcinogenicity, which may stimulate the activity of cancer cells in the human body, thereby increasing the risk of developing cancer. Although the specific carcinogenic mechanism is not fully understood, long-term intake of these harmful substances undoubtedly poses a threat to human health.

Four Signs That May Indicate Cancer: Seek Medical Attention Promptly

Weight Loss

Prolonged and continuous weight loss, accompanied by loss of appetite and decreased physical strength, may be a sign of cancer.

As cancer cells multiply in the body, they consume a large amount of energy, causing the patient's weight to continuously decrease even with adequate food intake. In such cases, prompt medical attention should be sought to rule out the possibility of cancer.

Fatigue

Frequent and persistent feelings of fatigue may also indicate the onset of cancer. This fatigue is not caused by overwork or lack of rest, but rather is a persistent fatigue without any apparent cause.

Cancer can disrupt the body's normal functions, leading to insufficient energy supply and resulting in feelings of fatigue. If this condition persists, it is advisable to seek medical help as soon as possible.

Abnormal Bleeding and Lumps

Whether it's lumps on the skin or internal bleeding, such as coughing up blood or blood in stool, sufficient attention should be paid. These symptoms may be direct manifestations of cancer and require prompt medical attention for early detection and treatment.

Persistent Pain

Whether it's chest pain, abdominal pain, or pain in other areas, if it persists for a long time and gradually intensifies, then it's necessary to be alert to the possibility of cancer.

Cancerous tumors can compress surrounding nerves and tissues, causing pain. For such pain, one should go to the hospital for detailed examination as soon as possible.

Which Foods Can Prevent Cancer? Keep This Dietary Advice

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are rich in healthy fats, proteins, and fiber, and contain antioxidants that can help clear free radicals in the body, reducing the risk of cancer. Walnuts, almonds, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, and the like are all great choices.

Beans and Whole Grains

Beans such as soybeans, black beans, and green beans are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals, which are essential for maintaining the body's normal functions.

Whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, and whole wheat bread provide rich energy while promoting intestinal health and reducing the risk of cancer.

Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, are rich in glucosinolates. These compounds can be converted into anticancer substances in the body, playing a positive role in cancer prevention.

Meanwhile, leafy green vegetables such as spinach, Chinese flowering cabbage, and rapeseed are rich in folic acid and antioxidants, making them important foods for cancer prevention.