Is genetic inheritance the main cause of cancer?

Cancer is a global enemy. In Taiwan, cancer has always ranked first among the top 10 causes of death, and the incidence rate is still increasing year by year. On average, one person is diagnosed with cancer every 5 minutes and 40 seconds. According to an online survey conducted jointly by Yahoo Health and , 1/5 of the respondents believed that cancer is caused by genetic inheritance. In fact, in addition to family inheritance, environmental pollution, improper eating habits, and excessive stress in life are all closely related to the occurrence of cancer.

Obesity + smoking induces high risk of cancer

Wu Jianyuan, head of the National Health Administration's Cancer Prevention and Control Group, pointed out that genetic inheritance is only one of the factors causing cancer. Clinical studies have confirmed that in addition to tobacco, alcohol, and betel nuts, obesity, unhealthy diet, and lifestyle are also the main culprits of cancer. Among them, smoking and obesity are the main causes of cancer and should not be underestimated.

Survey data also show that most cancers in Chinese people are concentrated in five types of cancer, namely colorectal cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and oral cancer, which together account for more than 60% of all cancer patients. Among them, the main factors for the occurrence of colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and oral cancer are mostly related to bad lifestyle habits.

Cancer-causing factors: unhealthy diet + lack of exercise

For example, the occurrence of lung cancer is greatly affected by smoking and secondhand smoke, while oral cancer and esophageal cancer are closely related to smoking, drinking, and chewing betel nuts. In recent years, the incidence of colorectal cancer and breast cancer in Chinese people has remained high. Emerging carcinogens such as obesity, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise are also major causes.

Family heredity myths can easily lead to sporadic cancers

Team leader Wu Jianyuan emphasized that cancer is not necessarily caused by inheritance, but it can be inherited from one generation to the next through gene mutations in reproductive cells, making the chance of their offspring developing cancer much higher than that of ordinary people. For example, the occurrence of breast cancer is closely related to genetic genes. If a mother has breast cancer, the probability of her daughter developing breast cancer is 2 to 3 times that of the general population.

Basically, family history is undoubtedly a high-risk factor for breast cancer. Although cancer can be passed on to the next generation through genetic genes, the genetic tendencies produced by each type of cancer vary due to the different probabilities of genetic mutations and the dominant or recessive genetic traits of chromosomes.

Genetic inheritance ratio is not high, control weight first to prevent cancer

In fact, for the vast majority of cancers, the proportion of genetic cases is not high. Instead, the dual influence of acquired somatic cell gene mutations and environmental factors is the main mechanism of cancer. For example, among colorectal cancer patients, only about 5% of them are genetically related. Most colorectal cancer patients are so-called sporadic cancers caused by non-genetic somatic gene mutations and the influence of environmental factors. Therefore, while people are worried about the hereditary nature of cancer, they should not ignore the importance of these sporadic cancers.

In addition to genetic inheritance, weight loss can indeed reduce the incidence of cancer. In addition to adopting a low-fat diet and reducing animal fat intake, proper exercise can also reduce body fat and achieve the goal of weight control. It can not only reduce the incidence of cancer, but also reduce the risk of other non-cancer diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, degenerative arthritis, and high uric acid levels.

[Experts’ Tips]: Cancer prevention is everyone’s responsibility

Many cancers send out their own unique signals in the early stages. These signals can be identified through screening, leading to early detection and early treatment, which can increase survival rates. As long as we stick to the first line of defense of "prevention is better than cure", establish a healthy lifestyle, avoid known risk factors, and add the second line of defense of regular cancer screening, it is not difficult to stay away from cancer.