Top 10 Cancer Causes You Should Avoid

Not staying active regularly can lead to weakness and increase your risk of serious health problems. Even worse, sitting for long periods reduces oxygen levels in the blood, which can significantly raise the risk of cancer. Common excuses for lack of exercise, such as being busy or having limited time, can mask the dangerous health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, especially cancer.

Did you know that each year, at least 135,000 cancer-related deaths worldwide are attributed to physical inactivity? This includes cancers like colorectal, ovarian, and bladder cancer. In particular, a sedentary lifestyle is strongly linked to colon cancer—one in ten people diagnosed with colon cancer can attribute it to inactivity.

The main contributor to sedentary behavior is technology. While technology makes tasks more convenient, it often leads to more desk-bound work. This results in sitting for hours at a time. Additionally, many people spend their free time on activities like gaming, surfing the internet, or watching TV, rather than engaging in physical activity. What was intended to improve our lives has instead been overused. Furthermore, some individuals mistakenly believe that a few minutes of intense exercise each week is enough. This not only fails to improve health but can also cause joint injuries.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), lack of physical activity increases the risk of obesity, which is a key factor in cancers like colorectal, breast, and liver cancer. Additionally, inactivity raises blood sugar levels, increasing insulin production, which in turn accelerates the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Regular exercise is the only proven way to improve your cancer risk. Research recommends at least 150 minutes of light physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week as a minimum to help reduce cancer risks.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), consuming beverages above 65°C may increase the risk of esophageal cancer. Hot drinks can cause burns to the skin and throat, creating conditions where cancer cells can potentially develop.

Studies show that drinking 700 ml of tea at 60°C or higher is closely linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer compared to those who consume beverages at lower temperatures, as reported by Archy Wordys. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Researchers tracked the drinking habits of 50,045 people aged 40-75 in northeastern Iran. Between 2004 and 2017, 317 cases of esophageal cancer were detected among the participants.

Dr. Farhad Islam, the lead author of the study from the American Cancer Society, stated that while many people enjoy hot tea, coffee, or other beverages, drinking excessively hot beverages can elevate the risk of esophageal cancer. Therefore, it's recommended to allow the drink to cool before consumption.

"If you're drinking tea, let it cool down a bit before drinking or add cold milk to reduce the risk of esophageal cancer," said Islam. In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified beverages above 65°C as a potential carcinogen.

Alcohol is widely consumed by humans and has been for centuries. However, excessive drinking can lead to liver cancer. Statistics show that % of global cancer cases are attributed to alcohol, and for every 30 cancer-related deaths, one is caused by alcohol consumption, especially among alcoholics, who face a higher risk. Research has proven that alcohol is linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, pharynx, esophagus, liver, intestines, colon, and breast. Additionally, alcohol increases the risk of pancreatic and stomach cancer.

According to the World Health Organization, Vietnam has one of the highest cancer death rates globally, with around 115,000 deaths per year, which equates to 315 deaths daily, and 120,000 new cancer cases annually. Vietnam also ranks among the top countries in Southeast Asia for alcohol consumption, second only to Thailand, 10th in Asia, and 29th in the world.

Alcohol can act as an irritant, especially in the mouth, throat, and liver, causing damage to the cells of these organs. This damage leads to changes in DNA as the body attempts to repair itself, but this process can trigger cell mutations and cancer. Alcohol also raises estrogen levels, a hormone that influences breast tissue growth, thus increasing breast cancer risk in women.

Moreover, alcohol can facilitate the absorption of harmful chemicals, such as those found in tobacco smoke, making it easier for these toxins to enter cells in the digestive tract. This explains why combining smoking and drinking increases the likelihood of developing mouth or throat cancer more than either habit alone. Additionally, alcohol inhibits the body's ability to detoxify and cleanse itself effectively.

Fried foods, often associated with fast food, have been linked to a significantly higher risk of cancer—up to twice the risk compared to normal food. Repeatedly fried fats and oils can make food harder to digest and increase the risk of stomach, prostate, and other cancers.

Fried foods are beloved by many, and you can find fried food stands everywhere—from street vendors near schools and hospitals to restaurants and eateries. Foods seasoned and fried to a crispy golden perfection are cheap and hard to resist. However, the dangers often lie in the quality of the oil used, which may be reused and poorly sourced, making the food potentially harmful. It's no exaggeration to say that the path to the grave can be paved with fried food.

Besides liver cancer, fried foods are also a significant factor in increasing prostate cancer rates in men. According to research from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, men who frequently eat fried foods are 25% more likely to develop prostate cancer. Women who regularly consume fried foods are also twice as likely to develop ovarian and uterine cancer. Beyond cancer, excessive fried food consumption also raises the risk of gastric cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol.

Although fried foods taste great, they are extremely harmful to your health. They contain high levels of fatty acids and oils, which, when consumed, raise cholesterol levels and can damage the liver, leading to fatty liver disease. In particular, oils that have been reused multiple times in restaurants produce harmful compounds like dime and trimer. Additionally, fried foods contain acrylamide, a toxic substance that not only accelerates liver and prostate cancer but also poses risks to the brain and reproductive system.

Carbonated drinks, especially sugary sodas, are widely popular. However, they carry hidden health risks. These beverages contain carcinogens such as methylmadizole. Studies show that the sugar in these drinks triggers insulin release in the body, which can nourish cancer cells.

A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on July 10th tracked the risk of various types of cancer, taking into account factors such as age, gender, education level, family history, smoking habits, and physical activity. The research revealed that consuming an additional 100 ml of sugary drinks per day increases the overall cancer risk by 18% and the risk of breast cancer by 22%.

The global consumption of sugary drinks has risen in recent decades, contributing to obesity, which in turn increases the risk of cancer. Scientists have found that limiting sugar intake can help reduce the risk of certain cancers in the population. The research team emphasized that sugary drinks, including sodas and fruit juices, are a major contributor to this risk.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting sugar intake to less than 10% of total daily calories. However, reducing it to below 5%, or about 25 grams per day, offers even greater health benefits. “The clear message from the research is that reducing sugar intake is critical for human health,” said Amelia Lake, a public health nutrition expert at Teesside University, UK.

When we experience stress and pressure, our brain releases cortisol, a hormone that increases two types of acids—HCl and pepsin—to help regulate the body. However, this hormone can also cause acid reflux, gastritis, and even increase the risk of stomach cancer. Prolonged stress can kill brain cells, impair memory, and elevate the chances of developing cancer.

In everyday life, people often encounter stressful situations such as planning vacations, being stuck in traffic, or worrying about personal or family health. If stress is short-lived, it’s not a major concern, but if it persists, it can have negative effects on health. While scientists don’t claim that stress directly causes cancer, chronic stress can weaken the immune system, leading to other health issues and an increased risk of cancer.

Numerous studies show that people who suffer from chronic stress often experience digestive problems, fertility issues, urinary problems, and a weakened immune system. These individuals are more susceptible to viral infections like the flu, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. The hormones produced during stress can also disrupt the process of anoikis, which is responsible for killing cancer cells and preventing their spread.

Additionally, chronic stress can stimulate the production of growth factors that increase blood supply to tumors, accelerating their growth. Anxiety can elevate adrenaline levels in the bloodstream, speeding up metabolism but slowing down fat metabolism. Experts suggest that learning to manage stress is crucial to prevent it from affecting our health in the long term.

Many people love sweet foods, but consuming too much sugar can lead to serious health issues, including an increased risk of cancer. Research shows that excess sugar in the body triggers inflammation and promotes the growth of cancer cells.

Every cell needs energy to function and grow, typically sourced from sugar that is metabolized from various foods. While healthy cells balance their sugar intake, cancer cells consume sugar excessively and grow at a rapid pace. Therefore, cutting out sugar entirely won’t stop cancer cell development.

A study by Lewis Cantley revealed that insulin, the hormone responsible for transporting sugar in the blood to cells, and a related hormone called IGF-1, activate cancer-related proteins. Cantley argues that "insulin itself is the starting point for cancer cells." However, this remains a theory. More recent research from KU Leuven University in Belgium established a link between sugar and proteins that affect cancer cells. The study suggests that high sugar levels can accelerate the growth of harmful cells, leading to cancer.

Although sugar itself doesn’t cause cancer, it influences the speed at which cancer cells grow, depending on how it is consumed. Therefore, it's important to manage sugar intake responsibly—around 25g for women and 38g for men—to maintain balanced insulin levels, reducing cancer risk and slowing the development of cancer cells.

We should limit drinking from plastic bottles as they are one of the contributing factors to cancer. Most plastic bottles are designed for single-use, but they are often recycled into lower-quality plastic materials. Especially, fruit juices with high acidity can react with the plastic’s chemicals, producing toxins. It's safer to use high-quality glass or metal bottles for storing liquids.

Many scientific studies have shown that water stored in reused plastic bottles has a higher risk of bacterial contamination, which can negatively affect your health. Long-term use of such bottles may lead to digestive disorders, circulatory issues, and, under certain conditions, increase the risk of cancer. Specifically, when plastic bottles are exposed to low temperatures, they release dioxins—substances that can cause cancer, birth defects, and developmental problems in children.

Due to the widespread use of plastic in food packaging, reusing plastic bottles has become common. However, most plastic bottles are not intended for repeated use and can release harmful substances over time due to environmental factors. Therefore, it’s better to dispose of plastic bottles, especially those used for food and drinks, to ensure safety.

If you still find plastic bottles to be the most convenient and cost-effective option for your household, ensure that liquids are stored in the fridge and consider replacing plastic with glass bottles. When reusing plastic bottles, be sure to clean them thoroughly to prevent bacterial buildup, and limit their reuse to a single occasion. You should also opt for bottles labeled with HDPE, as these are safer and reduce the risk of chemical degradation.

Lipstick is an essential item in every woman's handbag. However, few realize that many lipsticks contain harmful chemicals such as lead, triclosan, cadmium, methacrylate, and parabens—substances that can pose serious health risks, including contributing to cancer.

Every woman wants to look beautiful and more attractive, and lipstick is a must-have accessory to complete any outfit. Makeup ideas are incomplete without enhancing the lips with the perfect color. While women use lipstick daily, not everyone is aware of how it can affect their health.

Lead in lipstick, when absorbed into the body, enters the bloodstream, soft tissues, and bones. Excessive lead exposure can harm the heart, raise blood pressure, cause coronary artery disease, and disrupt heart rhythms. It may also reduce brain function and damage the nervous system, leading to issues with memory and concentration. In severe cases, lead poisoning can result in seizures, loss of consciousness, or even death.

Cadmium is difficult for the body to eliminate, so it accumulates in the kidneys, damaging kidney function and increasing the risk of kidney failure. Women tend to suffer more from cadmium poisoning than men. The preservatives used in lipstick can exceed safe limits, posing serious health risks. Some preservatives, such as parabens, are linked to cancer, especially breast cancer. These substances can also irritate the eyes, skin, and cause coughing or wheezing. If your child accidentally ingests lipstick, they may experience diarrhea or vomiting. While ingestion usually affects the stomach and intestines, it's best to consult a doctor if the symptoms resemble poisoning.

To reduce the risk of ingesting heavy metals or preservatives, limit lipstick use to two or three times a day. Ideally, you should apply lipstick no more than twice daily. According to a study from the University of California, lipstick can be hazardous to health if used 2 to 19 times per day.