On Cancer Prevention Day, Keep 'Group 1 Carcinogens' Away in Daily Life

June 21 is designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “World Cancer Prevention Day” to raise awareness about cancer and its prevention in order to reduce the annually increasing cancer incidence rate.

The smallest unit that makes up our body is called a cell. Normal cells maintain a balance in their numbers through division and growth. However, cancer is commonly defined as the abnormal transformation or excessive proliferation of cells caused by genetic changes due to various factors.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), under the WHO, the main causes of cancer deaths are smoking (30%), dietary factors (30%), and chronic infections (10?25%), highlighting the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.

The IARC classifies and reorganizes the definite “Group 1 carcinogens”?environmental factors that people are naturally exposed to in daily life and that cause cancer?in an easy-to-understand manner.

Carcinogens are classified into five groups: Group 1, 2A, 2B, 3, and 4. There are 120 types of Group 1 carcinogens, categorized into ▲pharmaceuticals ▲biological factors ▲heavy metals, dust, asbestos ▲radiation ▲tobacco, alcohol, living environment, dietary habits ▲occupational and environmental chemical exposures and work processes.

Dr. Kim Yoon-mi, Director of the Comprehensive Health Screening Center at Daedong Hospital, stated, “With advances in medicine, cancer, once considered an incurable disease, is now treatable and preventable, but it still ranks high among causes of death and remains a life-threatening disease.” She emphasized, “Cancer can be prevented and overcome as much as it is understood, so it is important to be prepared in advance.”

She added, “Cancer causes are not due to a single exposure concentration of carcinogens but rather a complex interaction of many factors such as duration, lifestyle habits, family history, and genetic susceptibility. While it is difficult to pinpoint one exact cause, properly understanding and minimizing common carcinogen exposures in our daily lives is the first step toward cancer prevention.”

[Image source=Pixabay]

In daily life, cancer prevention can be achieved through measures such as quitting smoking and abstaining from alcohol. Cigarettes contain numerous carcinogens including 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN).

These carcinogens in tobacco increase the risk of various cancers beyond lung cancer. Since there is no safe exposure limit for tobacco carcinogens, it is best to avoid all forms including smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes, smoking, and secondhand smoke.

When alcohol is metabolized, acetaldehyde, a genotoxic compound, is produced.

To detoxify acetaldehyde, aldehyde dehydrogenase is required. Genetically deficient aldehyde dehydrogenase increases the risk of liver cancer, oral cancer, esophageal cancer, pharyngeal cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. Approximately 20?25% of Koreans are genetically deficient, so special caution is necessary.

Besides tobacco and alcohol, biological carcinogens classified as Group 1 that are common among Koreans include hepatitis B and C viruses, human papillomavirus, and Helicobacter pylori.

To prevent cancers caused by biological factors, it is advisable to get vaccinated against hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, which are preventable by vaccination.

For infection prevention, thorough handwashing, not sharing hygiene products, hygienic cooking, and consuming safe foods are important. Additionally, cultural practices in Korea such as passing around drinking glasses and sharing stews increase infection risk and should be improved.

To prevent cancer, it is recommended to avoid salty and burnt foods and to maintain a balanced diet with a variety of nutrients from vegetables and fruits. Regular exercise for at least 30 minutes a day tailored to one’s ability helps maintain a healthy weight.

Those eligible for national cancer screening programs should not miss their screenings. To prevent sexually transmitted infections, safe sexual practices should be maintained, and workers exposed to carcinogens in the workplace must strictly follow safety and health regulations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.