Cancer: Melanoma Skin Cancer Causes

There is no known exact cause for melanoma skin cancer, but

Symptoms of cancer: Known Causes of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is often not diagnosed until the disease has advanced and

Symptoms of cancer: What causes Brain Cancer?

There are more than 100 different types of brain cancer (defined as a growth of tumors within the brain tissue), and a number of possible causes as well. Primary brain tumors start in the brain, while secondary tumors are cancerous growths that originate elsewhere in the body. Knowing the risk factors and understanding the causes can allow you to be more proactive in seeking testing and treatment.

1. Ask yourself if you are at high risk of developing a brain tumor. Do you already have cancer elsewhere in the body? Have you been exposed to radiation or carcinogens? Are you suffering from an auto-immune disorder? Learn more at the National Cancer Institute Web site (see "Resources" below).

2. Realize that the causes of brain cancer are not entirely understood. However, like all cancers, brain tumors are the result of genetic mutations. Some of these gene abnormalities are inherited, while others are acquired. Activities such as cigarette smoking and ingesting toxic chemicals can damage otherwise normal genes. The medical community is actively engaged in learning more about the causes of brain cancer.

3. Follow up any initial diagnosis of brain cancer with your own research using reliable sources such as the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute Web sites (see "Resources" below). This will allow you to ask your doctor intelligent questions about pain management, alternative therapies and other aspects of dealing with the disease.

Symptoms of Cancer: What Causes Liver Cancer?

Alcohol
Cirrhosis is a condition characterized by the liver getting scarred. One of the main reasons for cirrhosis is excessive alcohol use. The liver filters the blood of toxins and impurities. When you drink high amounts of alcohol for a long period of time, the liver has to work really hard to break it down, which damages it and as a result, leads to cirrhosis.

Hepatitis
There are four types of hepatitis. Hepatitis B and C can cause swelling, irritation, cirrhosis and also lead to liver cancer. They can be acquired from using dirty needles, blood transfusions and having unprotected sex with someone who is infected. Alcohol use can also exacerbate the condition.

Steroids
A lot of professional and recreational body builders resort to the use of steroids to gain mass and maintain it. They may be affective at building muscle, but they also come with harmful side effects, not to mention they are illegal. When used for a long period of time, they can ultimately lead to liver cancer.

Carcinogens
Aflotaxins are carcinogenic compounds that are found in rice, wheat, soybeans, peanuts and corn. They are usually found in tropical climates and when exposed to them for long periods of time, they can lead to liver cancer.

Water
There are some parts of the world and even the United States that have drinking water contaminated with arsenic. Continued consumption of water that contains arsenic can lead to liver cancer.

Cancer: What Causes Prostrate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is ranked fifth among the most common cancers worldwide. It accounts for almost one-third of all cancers in men, with more than 180,000 new cases every year. The most important risk factors of prostate cancer include age, race, family history and diet.

Function
The exact cause of prostate cancer has not been identified. However, several risk factors are known to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Family history is a major risk factor. If you have a family member (e.g. father, son, brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer, your risk of developing prostate cancer is increased by 2.5 times in comparison to the general population. Race/ethnicity is another major risk factor. It is well established that African-American men are at elevated risk for prostate cancer. Asian men are least likely to develop prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is also more likely to occur in older men. The average age of diagnosis for prostate cancer is 69. Diet also affects the risk of prostate cancer, as a diet containing a lot of animal fat tends to increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Significance
About 30,000 men die of prostate cancer every year in the United States. Almost all patients diagnosed with prostate cancers live more than 5 years after diagnosis and 75 percent of them live more than 15 years.

Geography
The rate of prostate cancer varies significantly between different countries. United States has the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world. Asian countries, such as Vietnam, China and Thailand, report the lowest rates of prostate cancer.

History
The rate of prostate cancer in the United States doubled in the past 20 years. This can be explained by the introduction of prostate cancer screening based on PSA testing, which detects a high level of prostate specific antigen and enables early detection of prostate cancer.

Prevention/Solution
Studies showed that use of selenium, vitamins E and D, lycopene, green tea and soy foods can lower the risk of prostate cancer. Several studies suggested that high frequency of ejaculation is associated with lower risk of prostate cancer.

Cancer: What Causes Cervical Cancer?

The majority of cervical cancers in the United States are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). Up to 70 percent of all diagnosed cervical cancers are caused by this sexually transmitted disease. Other causes include smoking, chlamydia, diet, HIV infection, birth control pills, multiple pregnancies, genetics or maternal exposure to a drug called diethylstilbestrol (DES) that was available from the 1940s until the early 1970's.

1. HPV and Cervical Cancer
HPV is a disease transmitted through contact. Sexual intercourse is not required to transmit HPV; any genital contact with an infected person can transmit the virus. The majority of strains of HPV are harmless and clear up on their own, but HPV type 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancer diagnoses in the United States. The cell changes associated with HPV that cause cervical cancer are generally very slow, and can be identified and treated in annual Pap smears before cervical cancer develops.

2. Smoking
Smoking cigarettes dramatically increases the risk of contracting HPV. Women who smoke cigarettes regularly are twice as likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer as women who do not smoke cigarettes. According to the American Cancer Society, doctors believe this occurs because the chemicals in tobacco smoke cause damage to the DNA of cervical cells.

3. HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, also seems to be a risk factor for cervical cancer. Doctors speculate that HIV is not the direct cause of cervical cancer, but it lowers immune response and makes it more difficult for the body to fight off HPV, which then causes the cervical cancer.

4. Chlamydia Infection
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. It is generally asymptomatic. The American Cancer Society suggests that women with a past history of chlamydia, or a current chlamydia infection, are more likely to get cervical cancer than women with no history of the illness.

5. Other Potential Causes
The use of the birth control pill may also increase the risk of cervical cancer. The longer the pill is used for, the higher the risk. Multiple pregnancies have also been linked with an increased risk of cervical cancer. A diet low in vegetables may also be a contributing factor. Finally, a genetic predisposition to cervical cancer, and/or low income status are also risk factors for cervical cancer.