Environmental risk factors for cancer – review paper
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 22 March 2019
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Institute of Rural Health in Journal of the Neurological Sciences
- Vol. 26 (1), 1-7
- https://doi.org/10.26444/aaem/94299
Abstract
The cancerous process is result of disturbed cell function. This is due to the accumulation of many genetic and epigenetic changes within the cell, expressed in the accumulation of chromosomal or molecular aberrations, which leads to genetic instability. It is difficult to assess the validity of individual aetiological factors, but it can be concluded that interaction of various risk factors has the largest contribution to the cancer development. Environmental, exogenous and endogenous factors as well as individual factors, including genetic predisposition contribute to the development of cancer. Epidemiological research on the development of malignant tumors has focused over the years on the determinants of environmental and genetic factors of cancer incidence and mortality rate. According to current state of knowledge, 80-90% of malignant tumors are caused by external environmental factors (carcinogens). Epidemiological studies have proved that the main factors responsible for the development of malignant neoplasia among humans are environmental factors arising from human behaviour. It has been confirmed that smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, diet, and reproductive behaviour are important for the development of malignant neoplasia in the human population. According to the World Health Organization, in 2020 we may expect about 10 million deaths, including 7-8 million in the developing countries, while this number in the developed countries will not change and will be 2-3 million. The aim this study was systematization of knowledge concerning the risk factors of malignant tumours and supplementing them with the latest research results.Keywords
This publication has 39 references indexed in Scilit:
- Worldwide Increasing Incidence of Thyroid Cancer: Update on Epidemiology and Risk FactorsJournal of Cancer Epidemiology, 2013
- Prevalence of Thyroid Cancer in Multinodular Goiter Versus Single Nodule: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisThyroid®, 2013
- BMI, Diet and Female Reproductive Factors as Risks for Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic ReviewPLOS ONE, 2012
- Obesity and pancreatic cancer: Overview of epidemiologic evidence and biologic mechanismsMolecular Carcinogenesis, 2011
- Preventable Exposures Associated With Human CancersJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2011
- Low-Carbohydrate Diets, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension-Style Diets, and the Risk of Postmenopausal Breast CancerAmerican Journal of Epidemiology, 2011
- Metabolites of a Tobacco-Specific Lung Carcinogen in Children Exposed to Secondhand or Thirdhand Tobacco Smoke in Their HomesCancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2011
- Clinical Outcome of Children With Newly Diagnosed Philadelphia Chromosome–Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated Between 1995 and 2005Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2010
- JC Virus: An oncogenic virus in animals and humans?Seminars in Cancer Biology, 2009
- The Impact of Clean Indoor Air Exemptions and Preemption Policies on the Prevalence of a Tobacco-Specific Lung Carcinogen Among Nonsmoking Bar and Restaurant WorkersAmerican Journal of Public Health, 2007