Cancers have many different causes and sources. One of these sources is a group of chemicals called carcinogens. These carcinogens have been found in industrial pollutants, pesticides, and food additives. People who are exposed to these carcinogens through their occupation or other activities have been known to be more susceptible to cancer. The development of cancer also has been closely linked to heredity. A genetic mutation (a change in the genetic code) could be passed to a child through the sperm or egg. A family history of cancer could be due to a dominant gene that makes cancer more likely to be passed down from generation to generation. Some of the following are symptoms that can be associated with cancer. The acronym, C.A.U.T.I.O.N., can remind us of the most common warning signs of cancer.
- C - Change in bowel or bladder habits
- A - A sore that does not heal
- U - Unusual bleeding or discharge
- T - Thickening or lump in the breast or any part of the body
- I - Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
- O - Obvious change in a wart or mole
- N - Nagging cough or hoarseness
(From "Cancer Facts", National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health)
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