Most people know that certain products or activities, such as smoking cigarettes or sunbathing, are risky and may cause cancer. However, research continues to surprise people every day by linking new products and activities to cancer.
Night Shift Work
Research shows that women who work the night shift more than a few times per month are at a higher risk for contracting breast cancer and colorectal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Men who work nights also face an increased risk for cancer, especially prostate cancer, due to the interruption of normal sleeping patterns.
Grilled Meat
Grilling meat at high temperatures can form chemicals that cause colorectal and prostate cancer, according to research conducted at the National Cancer Institute. Scientists say that it isn’t the actual grilling that causes the problem but the high temperatures. Cooking meat such as beef at high temperatures creates heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and these compounds are linked to causing cancer.
Diesel Fumes
Working in an enclosed area with diesel fumes increases the risk of lung cancer, the World Health Organization reports. Although working in an open area with diesel fumes is thought to be safer than working in an enclosed space with the fumes, researchers have found evidence linking diesel fumes as being almost as carcinogenic to humans as smoking cigarettes.
Deodorant
Deodorants and antiperspirants can cause breast cancer if the products contain certain chemicals like aluminum-based compounds. Research suggests that these chemicals may interfere with the body’s estrogen levels and increase the growth of breast cancer cells.
Asbestos
People who are exposed to asbestos at work or at home can get mesothelioma, a rare but deadly type of cancer that attacks the lungs’ lining. According to CPR Lawyers, mesothelioma is scientifically linked to asbestos exposure, which means that breathing in asbestos fibers can directly cause this type of cancer. Somewhat oddly, people can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to get mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos. While this cancer is most often caused by working on industrial sites, shipyards or mines contaminated with asbestos, researchers say that living near active asbestos mines can also cause mesothelioma.
As more cancer research is conducted every day, scientists continue to learn new ways that people get cancer. While there are many environmental factors that are out of people’s control, people can reduce their risk of cancer by keeping on top of the latest scientific research and reducing use of cancer-causing products and activities.