But not everyone who comes into contact with carcinogens will develop cancer. And all of these factors vary in their ability to cause cancer. Some carcinogens don’t cause cancer until after prolonged, excessive exposure. Plus, the risk of getting cancer may depend on genetic makeup.
Trying to wade through this concept is like comparing apples to oranges. According to The Guardian, some factors are obvious. For example, a decade of extended sun exposure may result in skin cancer. And smoking cigarettes for many years increases your risk. However, you just don’t know. Many, many people engage in these behaviors and do not get cancer.
The important thing to remember is that there are steps that you can take to reduce your level of exposure to carcinogens. And there are some types of carcinogens that you can avoid completely, like firsthand smoke exposure through cigarettes.
If you’re looking to decrease your exposure to carcinogens, check out these six changes to make today.
- Take steps to protect your skin from sun exposure.
If you were raised in the '70s or '80, summer meant baking in the sun covered in tan-promoting baby oil or other concoctions. That’s because the risk of skin cancer wasn’t considered to the extent that it is now.
But these days we know that sun exposure is a factor when it comes to the risk of developing cancer. According to Women’s Health, UV radiation can alter skin cells' DNA. And obviously, it can speed up the aging process by contributing to the development of lines, wrinkles and sunspots.