Biology Article
The article titled “Majority of Cancers Caused by Lifestyle Factors, Study Suggests”, written by Natasha Hinde was posted in The Huffington Post UK on December 17, 2015. The author claims that a new study evidences that the majority of cancers have lifestyle choices and environmental factors as the etiological reasons. This finding contradicts an earlier research which asserted that differences in cellular processes in certain tissues gives rise to malignancies. Hinde claims that most of the carcinomas are preventable through adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors. She cites Hannun et al. explaining through their research on cancer at Stony Brook University, New York, that external factors’ contribution to cancer is greater than the mutations during cell division. Likewise, professor McConway from the Open University refutes that 70% to 90% of cancers cases could have been avoidable by keeping the risk factors at bay (as cited in Hinde, 2015). The author concludes by recommending to eat and drink sensibly, making positive lifestyle choices, considering diet and exercise patterns with care, and saying no to tobacco smoke.
The article caught my attention by virtue of the fact that it provides me the freedom to be the decision maker of my health in the future. I do not need to worry unnecessarily, thinking that my chances of developing cancer lies in the hands of my destiny. Positive lifestyle choices could not only be beneficial in cancer risk prevention, but for enhancing overall wellness and quality of life.
Research on the separate entities of the positive lifestyle choices would be a significant step in this direction. It could help derive results related to the different healthy changes one could make, and these figures could be a motivating for the general public to follow through. It would require a considerable amount of efforts from the government and the private sector, alike. Funding such researches using taxpayer’s money is approvable as the public would be the one who would be able to reap the benefits from them. Scientific investigation is none the less important than other medical fields, as cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, costing heavily for the nation.
References
Hinde, N. (2015, December 17). Majority of cancers caused by lifestyle factors, study suggests. Retrieved February 3, 2017, from Huffington Post, …
