Cancer Causes (cont.)
Sunlight
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation comes from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning
booths. It causes early aging of the skin and skin damage that can lead to
skin cancer.
Doctors encourage people of all ages to limit their time in the sun and
to avoid other sources of UV radiation:
- It is best to avoid the midday sun (from mid-morning to late afternoon)
whenever possible. You also should protect yourself from UV radiation
reflected by sand, water, snow, and ice. UV radiation can penetrate light
clothing, windshields, and windows.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, a hat
with a wide brim, and sunglasses with lenses that absorb UV.
- Use sunscreen.
Sunscreen may help prevent skin cancer, especially sunscreen with a sun
protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. But sunscreens cannot replace
avoiding the sun and wearing clothing to protect the skin.
- Stay away from
sunlamps and tanning booths. They are no safer than sunlight.
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Ionizing radiation
Ionizing radiation can cause cell damage that leads to cancer. This kind
of radiation comes from rays that enter the Earth's atmosphere from outer
space, radioactive fallout, radon gas, x-rays, and other sources.
Radioactive fallout can come from accidents at nuclear power plants or
from the production, testing, or use of atomic weapons. People exposed to
fallout may have an increased risk of cancer, especially leukemia and
cancers of the thyroid, breast, lung, and stomach.
Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste. It forms
in soil and rocks. People who work in mines may be exposed to radon. In some
parts of the country, radon is found in houses. People exposed to radon are
at increased risk of lung cancer.
Medical procedures are a common source of radiation:
- Doctors use radiation (low-dose x-rays) to take pictures of the inside of
the body. These pictures help to diagnose broken bones and other problems.
- Doctors use radiation therapy (high-dose radiation from large machines or
from radioactive substances) to treat cancer.
The risk of cancer from
low-dose x-rays is extremely small. The risk from radiation therapy is
slightly higher. For both, the benefit nearly always outweighs the small
risk.
| You should talk with your doctor if you are concerned that you may be at
risk for cancer due to radiation.
If you live in a part of the country that has radon, you may wish to test
your home for high levels of the gas. The home radon test is easy to use and
inexpensive. Most hardware stores sell the test kit.
You should talk with your doctor or dentist about the need for each
x-ray. You should also ask about shields to protect parts of the body that
are not in the picture.
Cancer patients may want to talk with their doctor about how radiation
treatment could increase their risk of a second cancer later on.
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