Recent research shows that up to 90% of cancers are caused by environmental factors, according to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), which will focus on environmental awareness during Cancer Prevention Week from August 1 to 7.
“It is clear that the war on cancer could be won if humans were no longer exposed to environmental carcinogens, such as chemicals, viruses, bacteria and UV light, and maintained a healthy body weight through a balanced diet and exercise,” says Dr Carl Albrecht, head of research at Cansa.
A cancer-causing factor is officially known as a carcinogen. Carcinogens attack the DNA of the cell, causing mutations. This can cause cells to divide or multiply. These cancer cells multiply and grow into a lump or tumour and can spread to other parts of the body.
“Your risk of getting cancer increases the more you are exposed to a carcinogen,” says Albrecht. “That is why it is important to know the different carcinogens and avoid being exposed to them to reduce your risk of getting cancer.”
What you can do:
- Tobacco: don’t smoke, use any tobacco products or breathe in second-hand smoke. Now would be a good time to make your school tobacco-free.
- Smoke from open fires: avoid smoke and ensure adequate ventilatcion.
- Contaminated water: drink clean, fresh and safe water.
- Hepatitis B virus: vaccinate babies.
- Human papilloma virus: vaccinate children. Women need to have regular pap smears.
- UV A and B radiation: be sun-smart. Get shade netting at your school, plant trees and shift outside activities to before 10am or after 3pm.
- Obesity: regulate your calorie intake and exercise regularly.
- Diet: eat a balanced, mainly natural plant-based diet. Get your school to sell only healthy food at the tuck shop and prepare healthy food as part of your feeding scheme.
- Asbestos: avoid exposure.
- Cadmium ore from mining: avoid exposure.
- Uranium ore from mining: avoid exposure.
- Acrylamide: limit potato crisp intake, especially for children.
- Plasticisers: use plastic clingwrap without plasticisers (no-name brands of Checkers, OK, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Spar, Woolworths and Glad Wrap). Cansa approves of cling wraps that do not contain plasticisers because these man-made chemicals can migrate into food and get absorbed by the body with as-yet-undefined, long-term effects.
- Bisphenol A: avoid polycarbonate baby bottles.
- Trans fatty acids: avoid food with more than 2% trans fatty acids (margarines with less than 2% trans fats include Flora, Rama, Stork, Spar no-name brand).
- Vehicle exhaust fumes: avoid breathing in fumes.
-Martha Molete is the head of communication at Cansa.Cansa runs a number of educational programmes for schools. It also encourages schools to include cancer or healthy lifestyle as topics for school projects. For more information contact Cansa toll-free at 0800 22 66 22, email [email protected], go to www.cansa.org.za or contact your nearest Cansa office.