Introduction to the Oncology Care Unit

• Family History: Some families face a significantly higher risk of developing cancer.
• Genes and Chromosomes: The increased risk of developing cancer is sometimes linked to a specific gene, and at other times, it may be due to the interaction of multiple genes. Environmental factors that affect all family members may alter this genetic interaction and lead to cancer.
• Age: Certain cancers, such as Wilms tumor, retinoblastoma, and neuroblastoma, particularly affect children. Cancer cases resulting from suppressor gene mutations can either be inherited or occur during fetal development. However, most other types of cancer are more common in adults, especially the elderly.
• Environmental Factors: Many environmental factors increase the risk of developing cancer. Tobacco smoke contains several carcinogens that significantly raise the risk of cancer in the lungs, mouth, throat, esophagus, kidneys, and bladder. Water and air pollutants such as asbestos, industrial waste, and cigarette smoke also increase the risk of cancer. Numerous chemicals are known to cause cancer, and several other substances are suspected of contributing to the disease.
• Geographical Location: The risk of cancer varies depending on where a person lives, and the reasons for geographic differences are often complex and not well understood. The geographic variation in cancer risk is attributed to a combination of genetic, dietary, and environmental factors.
• Diet: The foods consumed in a person's diet can increase the risk of cancer. For example, a diet rich in unsaturated fats, as well as obesity itself, is associated with a higher risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, and possibly prostate cancer.
• Medications and Medical Treatments: Some medications and medical treatments may increase the risk of cancer. For example, estrogen found in oral contraceptives may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer in women currently using them or those who used them within the past few years. Estrogen and progestin hormones, which may be prescribed to women going through menopause (hormone replacement therapy), may also slightly increase the risk of breast cancer.
• Infections: Several viruses are known to cause cancer.
• Inflammatory Disorders: Inflammatory disorders often increase the risk of developing cancer. These disorders include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which can lead to colon cancer and bile duct cancer.