Unhealthy life styles and exposures to cancer causing chemicals are important, but not the exclusive causes of cancer. There are many other known and unknown factors initiating the cancer process.Cancer is sometimes seen in very young children who obviously could not have had any bad habits . On the other hand, we see many people full of so called bad habits apparently enjoying good health. This compels us to consider some other factors in childhood cancer. Pregnant mothers, who are exposed to carcingens, may be transmitting such influences to the foetus in the womb. Ababy might be born with susceptibility to cancer. This susceptibility may be genetic in origin.
There are special genes called oncogenes in our body cells. Protective oncogenes can resist cancer. However, when ''turned on'' or ''altered'' or ''corrupted'', the same genes could promote cancer. What turns these oncognes ''on''? what causes a cell either to fight cancer or to join cancre? Carcinogens are outside substances, which can trigger oncogenes and develop cancer. Carcinogens are external things such as tobacco, pollution, pesticides, chemicals, drugs, radiation, x-rays, ultraviolet rays, old or chronic injuries to the body, chronic infections etc. The in ternal factors are host factors.A person may be born with genetic susceptibility to develop a cancer more easily tham others. Such susceptible persons, if exposed to carainogens, can easily develop cancer. on the other hand, if such persons carefully avoid exposure to carcinogens, they can reduce the risk of getting cancer. Recent medical research suggests that under the persistent influence fo carcinogens, oncogenes can become activated and start cancer. lt has been shown in the research laboratories that persistent exposure to carcinogens can reduce immunity, which is the natural disease fighting power. with reduced immunity, various diseases can take hold of the body. mental depression and anxiety can reduce immunity. Fortunately it has been also proved in laboratories that good healthy natural food, exercise, regular habits, relaxation, meditation, yoga, cheerful attitude and even good sleep can improve immunity. Such measures wonld help one to fight many diseases.
