There are many causes of cancer, including genetics, tobacco use, infectious organisms, environmental factors, diet, hormones and immune conditions. Pinpointing how and why someone gets cancer can be impossible -- long periods of time may pass between exposure to whatever may cause it and the advent of symptoms that lead to a diagnosis.
The World Cancer Research Fund estimates that one-third of cancers may be prevented with lifestyle changes and methods of preventing infection, such as wearing sunscreen and not exposing the body to indoor tanning devices. Certainly, maintaining good general health, a diet heavy on fiber and unprocessed foods and a reasonable amount of exercise can contribute to prevention. But there is no guarantee or magic bullet that provides total immunity.
Screening and checkups are ways that early stages of cancer can be detected, which typically results in less extensive treatments and costs.
Despite a wealth of information on the potential risk factors for cancer, its treatment and how it develops, there are many myths surrounding the disease. It was not too long ago that talk show host Rosie O’Donnell told an employee that “liars get cancer,” a comment that drew media attention and condemnation.
There are still people who believe that any form of cancer is an automatic death sentence, and no matter if the person lived a totally clean and virtuous life, acquiring the disease somehow indicates culpability for engaging in some sort of activity that brought on the disease.