To date, cancer remains one of the largest causes of death—taking second place to heart disease—in the United States. There are many types of cancers and, thus, risk factors that make a person more likely to develop the disease. To give you an idea of possible causes, here is the list of possible culprits behind the notorious killer.

1. Tobacco Smoking

Tobacco smoking involves products containing natural ingredients such as tobacco leaves. However, there are also other additives like cigarettes that give it flavor. These chemicals are known to contribute to the development of cancer. Some of these chemicals are nicotine, ammonia, Hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, benzene, and lead. Not only do these have cancer-causing properties, but they can also contribute to lung and heart diseases.

2. Prescription Drugs

FDA-approved medication is supposed to be safe when taken orally. What most people don’t know is that some can also contribute to the growth of cancer cells. While there is still research going on, experts have already classified cancer-causing drugs into three categories: hormone therapeutic drugs, diabetes medication, and immunosuppressive therapy. Some examples include fluoxetine, losartan, and Zantac.

Zantac, a drug produced to treat ulcers, minimizes the production of stomach acid. The drug has been taken off the market because of the dangers of taking Zantac. The FDA has recently begun investigating the drug because of the exceedingly high traces of the impurity called N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable carcinogen. NDMA can cause cancers in the brain, bladder, breast, colorectal region, lung, ovaries, and more.

Patients who used Zantac and were diagnosed with stomach or esophagus cancer may qualify to file a Zantac cancer lawsuit against the manufacturers. As many patients consulted lawyers to claim compensation, Zantac has been banned in several parts of the world.

3. Diet

While food is supposed to be nourishing, any chemical additives can make food dangerous to your health. Scientists have studied chemical additives to food. It was found that some of them are potentially cancerous. One chemical, acrylamide, can be found both in tobacco and food. Animal studies involving the chemical proved that it could be transformed in the body as glycidamide that can damage DNA and raise cancer risk.

Certain processed foods also contain Nitrosodimethylamine such as beer, cheeses, bacon, and cured meats. According to Drug Injury News, NDMA can cause cancers of the blood, prostate, pancreatic, and thyroid disorders. It’s also found in Zantac that has been removed from the market for its cancer-causing component.

4. Genetics or Family History

Cancers are the result of genetic mutations. One person can be born with it or have it occur after birth. One family can also carry different types of cancers in their genetic pool. Exposure to harmful toxins could alter cells that have been born and turn into cancerous cells. Simultaneously, there’s also a theory that when stem cells become defective, they also produce cancer cells.

Lynch syndrome is one example that poses a risk of getting cancer because those with this ailment cannot repair damages to their DNA. In turn, one can develop certain types of cancers in the body.

5. Excessive Sun Exposure

Outdoor activities are generally good for the health as it allows you to be more active, but too much sun is bad because of harmful UV rays. Artificially made tanning devices are just as bad, if not worse, as they produce UV light. They can cause skin cancers such as squamous cell and basal cell cancers. For these types of cancers, those with fair skin, light eyes, fair and red hair are more at risk. Melanoma, another form of skin cancer is likely to occur with those who have large moles.

6. Bacteria

Specific types of bacteria can also cause cancer. The Helicobacter pylori can lead to ulcers for those with infections in the stomach. It can lead to stomach cancer, which is one of the most common cancer types globally. The bacteria are spread through contaminated food and water. It can also spread through mouth-to-mouth contact.

Another type is the Chlamydia trachomatis, a sexually-transmitted bacteria that can affect the female reproductive organs. Only through a pelvic exam that carriers can find out if they have the symptoms. Human papillomavirus, another STI, can potentially cause cervical cancer.

7. Chemotherapy and Radiation

Cancer treatments help a patient go into remission, but most people are unaware that the patient can also develop second cancer later on because of the same treatments.

Chemotherapy drugs are linked to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Unfortunately, the longer the treatment and the higher the doses of chemotherapy agents make the patient more susceptible to developing these two cancers years later.

It’s also why there are currently cutting-edge cancer treatments that can also help the body without experiencing adverse effects. Nanorobots, stem cells, and even specific viruses and bacteria are now being utilized as alternatives.

8. Asbestos Fibers

If you work with industrial-grade materials, you may be working with asbestos as it accounts for less than 1% of specific products’ raw materials. At that amount, it is safe to use—however, at exceeding percentages, it can potentially cause cancer. Asbestos is made up of heat-resistant flexible fibers. It is used on cement, cloth, and paper. Those who work near asbestos must wear protective gear like masks as it can remain trapped in the body when inhaled or swallowed. This substance can cause mesothelioma, a type of cancer, as well as inflammation and genetic damage that could also lead to cancer.

9. Alcohol

Alcohol drinkers are not only compromising sobriety and safety on the road. Overconsumption of alcohol is also linked to six types of cancer at the mouth, throat, liver, breast, colon/rectum, and esophagus. When the body breaks down alcohol, it becomes acetaldehyde which damages DNA. Cells can go haywire through this anomaly and can become cancerous.

Bottomline

Cancer growth is related to genetic anomalies to outside forces like over-exposure to UV rays and bacteria. But while some causes of cancers are out of our control, it’s still worth it to exercise, eat healthy foods, and quit vices that can harm the body. Many cancers can develop in anyone. Early detection can help curb the symptoms and better your chances of beating the disease.

Beyond the medical implications in the strict sense, vitiligo in children requires special attention due to the psychosocial consequences that it brings.

The little one needs reliable support and guidance to cope with the effects of the disease.

In most cases, vitiligo in children is due to a family history of autoimmune diseases.

It is a condition that can be perceived with the naked eye since it characterized by the appearance of well-defined depigmented areas on the skin.

This happens because the melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for pigmentation, do not work correctly and are lost.

The lesions appear in appearance as white patches, which can be of any shape and size, with various locations on the skin or mucosa.

How to deal with this disease in children? What treatments are available? Minors require special care and support for this condition. Therefore, here are some tips.

About Vitiligo In Children

Vitiligo is not a contagious disease, but it does have a significant impact on appearance.

Based on this, it affirmed that, in the case of children, it has a more significant impact from the psychosocial point of view.

Initially, the disease manifests itself segmentally. Thus, the first spots appear in inconspicuous areas of the body, so they are not given much importance.

This is a mistake since your prompt attention improves the prognosis.

Segmental type vitiligo is more frequent during childhood compared to that of adults.

Statistics indicate that about 2.16% of the world population suffers from this condition, and a third of that number are children.

How To Treat Vitiligo In Children?

To decide what type of treatment given to vitiligo in children, the pediatrician or GP makes a referral to the dermatology specialist.

This will determine the typology of this disease and, from there, guides towards therapeutic options are.

Segmental vitiligo has a definite natural course, but non-segmental vitiligo is unpredictable.

In the latter, it is necessary to carry out tests to detect other autoimmune diseases. This allows the child’s profile traced to determine how to address the problem.

Topical therapies generally recommended when 20% of the body surface is compromised. They may contain topical steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, and vitamin D.

Likewise, body creams with a mineral complex frequently prescribed.

Although they are products used in people of all ages, it is useful. In turn, its use with phototherapy complemented.

Phototherapy And Sun Protection

Various studies show that phototherapy is effective in treating vitiligo in children.

Most commonly, a treatment known as PUVA used. In this, there are fewer side effects, which is very positive, since the little ones are more sensitive to these compared to adults.

PUVA therapy involves administering psoralen to the mouth or skin.

This is a drug that is activated when the patient exposed to light.

Then ultraviolet radiation applied. After application, it produces repigmentation and stabilization. However, it increases the risk of cancer.

Moreover, it is essential to ensure the sunscreen, especially in areas affected by depigmentation.

Although it is an excellent recommendation in all vitiligo patients, in children, it highly emphasizes since they tend to spend more time outdoors.

Other Treatment Options

In some cases, supplementation with low-dose vitamin D3 indicated to treat vitiligo in children. While some recommend supplementing with herbal intakes, such as ginkgo Biloba, it is not capable.

In general, it is advisable for a diet containing foods with vitamins A, C, and D. Foods high in acid, folic, selenium, zinc, and omega 3 fatty acids are also suitable.

Vitiligo m treated and managed in a multidisciplinary way. The specialties involved in the consultation are as follows:

• Endocrinology.
• Rheumatology.
• Nutrition.
• Psychology.
• Psychiatry.
• Hematology.
• Developmental disorders.
• Gastroenterology.
• Pediatrics.

Addressing Emotions Is Important

In children, the psychological impact of this disease is even more substantial than for anyone else.

Understandably, minors feel depression, sadness, or social rejection. It is a disease that becomes less bearable as it manifests itself in the most visible parts of the body.

The little ones, who are in the process of growth, have a harder time understanding the reason for their illness.

Even as they grow older, they experience more distress and anxiety from the disease.

Therefore, once they start their schooling, it is advisable to begin psychological therapy so that they can face their reality.

Such assistance should continue until puberty and adolescence, due to continuous emotional changes.

What To Remember About Vitiligo In Children And Its Management?

As soon as the clinical manifestations of vitiligo in children become noticeable, it is essential to seek medical attention.

This disease requires a multidisciplinary approach since its management goes beyond dermatology.

It is essential to provide psychological assistance to minors since they find it difficult to understand their illness and may experience social rejection and depression.