Research shows that most forms of cancer are caused by bad living habits and are not hereditary. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec.18 (Korea Bizwire) – Research shows that most forms of cancer are caused by bad living habits and are not hereditary.
A research team at Stonybrook University in the U.S. announced that the results of its research indicate that 70 percent to 90 percent of common types of cancer including breast, testicle and lung cancer are caused by external factors such as lack of exercise, pollution, stress, smoking and unhealthy eating habits.
Only brain cancer is caused by internal body conditions.
There have been continuous debates about the causes of cancer since research results saying that random errors in DNA cause cancer as the body ages and cells differentiate were revealed.
According to the journal ‘Nature’, where the results of the current research were published, cancer is not caused by bad luck, but by the life habits of individuals.
Compared to a person who quits smoking at the age of 85, a person who quits smoking at the age of 55 has a 50 percent lesser chance of suffering from lung cancer. (Image : Yonhap)
The research team presented an example. Compared to a person who quits smoking at the age of 85, a person who quits smoking at the age of 55 has a 50 percent lesser chance of suffering from lung cancer. In addition, the vaccine for hepatitis B lowers the chances of getting liver cancer by 70 percent.
Emma Smith from the British Cancer Research Center emphasizes that the results of the research indicate that we can avoid cancer by controlling external factors. “Quitting smoking, eating healthy food, and maintaining optimal weight can make a difference. We can’t guarantee that will prevent one from getting cancer, but it will surely lower the chances.”
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
