Why are older people at a higher risk of developing most cancers than young people!!??
THank you for any help! <3
2007-09-30 10:43:42 · 7 answers · asked by Anna G 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Mostly because they have lived longer!
Think about it, who is more likely to have won the lottery? A 12-year-old who has bought a ticket every day of her life? Or a 96-year-old who has bought a lottery ticket every day of her life?
(I know, I know, neither of them is anywhere near as likely to win as they are to get cancer at some time, but you get my point!)
2007-09-30 12:01:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Older people are at risk for more cancers because of many things. They have been exposed to environmental carcinogens for longer. They may have been smokers or chewed tobacco. They have been exposed to sunlight before anyone ever thought about sunblock or wearing sunglasses. Just being older also means that your body has less recooperative abilities and your immune system is less able to fight off illness and the effects metabolizing the chemicals that result from preparation of food, exposure to yard chemicals and work environments where employee safety was not a concern.
2007-10-04 15:55:49 · answer #2 · answered by Mama Mia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well that depends on which type of cancer. Some cancers are more prevalent in the young than in the older population.
2007-09-30 17:52:41 · answer #3 · answered by tetel 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
longer exposure to things that cause cancer and their immune systems are a lot weaker
2007-09-30 18:41:00 · answer #4 · answered by buggerlugs 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its because..... Our immune systems are lower than most.......
2007-10-03 22:09:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Exposure to more carcinogens, perhaps?
2007-09-30 17:51:19 · answer #6 · answered by rikkilyn 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
idk 4 sure. i think it has sumthin' 2 do w/ the fact that their immune system is weaker.
2007-09-30 17:51:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋