How do you get cancer?

Answer 1

Mutations in your DNA from harmful environmental stimuli (pollution, too much UV light, toxic foods, etc) cause tumor cells to grow and replicate.

Answer 2

Well of course the first big answer is smoking. That has been proven. A genetic predisposition is strongly suspected and probably likely but has not really been absolutely proven. Studies seem to indicate that poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle contributes to cancer. But yet we all know people with horrible diets that live long lives and healthy people that succumb to cancer. Another theory worth investigating is environment. Have you heard of "cancer clusters"? They are areas where a higher than average number of people develop cancer. I, unfortunately live in a city (Erie, PA) where this is true. An inordinate amount of people here in Erie have cancer. We have a huge cancer center which is unusual for a city this size, but sorry to say, is needed. Nobody knows why. Industry? Pollution? The lake? Ethnicity? Lifestyle? Diet?
There is also a theory that cancer cells do not attack healthy bodies. This theory expands to the idea that very healthy, fit people who DO get cancer (think Lance Armstrong) can fight it better.

Answer 3

cancers are either spontaneous or induced mutation that makes the normal cell grow out of control. most are induced... by mutagens like chemicals, radiations etc. The longer the human body is exposed to the mutagens the more likely the damage to the cell can occur and becomes cancerous... Therefore cancers are said to be an elderly disease.

some people are more prone to cancer than others... so the degree can vary from person to person. one man can smoke 2 packs a day without problem all his life another man get cancer from 2nd smoking from the resturants...

Answer 4

we all have cancer cells in our body. if a mutation of some sort occurs, these cells can form tumers. tumers can be cancerous or maybe not, it depends. as you probably know, smoking increases the chance of getting it, but it can be genetics as well. there are so many types of cancer, just saying cancer is kind of general. if you stay in the sun without sun screan alot as a child/teen, it increases risk of skin cancer. any woman can get breast cancer, so i guess some things are just luck. i hope that this information has been useful to you.

Answer 5

The average person has about 10000 cancerous cells in their body everyday. Its your immune systems job to search and destroy this mutated cells, but if your immune system is to weak they build up and becomes a tumor. So many things can cause your immune system to become weak, like toxins you take in, stress is a big one. I read that most diseases start at the colon. Most ppl have about 10-20 pounds of stool that never leaves their colon. Over time it builds up and your body can't absorb the nurtients it needs to keep your immune system strong. Now a days almost everything we eat is processed which is not good for you. You need to eat a lot of veggies, fibre and fruits to keep things from backing up. The cleaner your colon is, the more nessassary vitamins and nutrients it can absorb.

Answer 6

Sometimes, like in my uncle's case it can stem from injuries. He played football in high school and college and was hit in his chest many, many times. His cancer started behind his chest cavity. Pollutants, smoking, street drugs, genetics are all other issues that can cause cancer. Female cancers can be caused by certain STDs.

Answer 7

Sometimes it's a genetic tendency (BRCA-1 & BRCA-2) but more often it's due to prolonged and repeated chemical or mechanical cellular irritation. Risk factors include certain foods or food ingredients, radiation, tobacco, weight & physical activity, environment, stress, HPV and pre-1970s X-rays. Chemical or mechanical cellular irritation are a component in all these risk factors.

Answer 8

you can get cancer in many kinds of ways you can get cancer from smoking you can get it from not using sun screen while in the sun you can get cancer from tanning this is because of ultraviolet rays(UV Rays.)

Answer 9

Smoking or drinking or genetics....or the "luck" of the draw...