Why Do Some Get Cancer and Others Not?
Author: John Published Under: Health
Since there are many risk factors for cancer, it is often asked, why doesn't everyone get cancer? For example, it is possible for someone to smoke all their life, without developing lung cancer, even though tobacco is a carcinogen. There are actually several reasons that only some people get cancer.
Exposure to Risks
One of the biggest reasons that some people develop cancer, while others do not, is in fact being exposed to risk factors. This can mean drinking too much alcohol, eating very unhealthily, or smoking excessively. Often, the exposure to these risk factors is a leading cause of cancer, as some people overdo it, while others are much less indulgent.
Genes and Genetics
There are some people who have a genetic predisposition, which makes cancer more likely to develop. There are even some “cancer families,” where the entire family line has a much higher rate of cancer, although this is not very common. In some cases, this is restricted to a single type of cancer, while in others the types of cancer that develop greatly vary. This is one reason that doctors will ask about your families history when diagnosing and treating cancer.
For most, however, there is no such obvious family history, with small changes to genetics contributing to an increased likelihood of cancer. This can make the cells in the body more likely to be affected by carcinogens, such as the cells in the lungs being more responsive to cigarette smoke.
Chance
As is usually the case, chance plays a big role in who gets cancer as well. Cells in the body are constantly dividing and each time they divide, it is possible for a mistake to occur, which will subsequently replicate and propagate.
Immune System
The immune system plays a very complicated role with cancer, with those with immune problems or diseases that attack the immune system being more likely to develop cancer.
Age
Some doctors suggest that if males lived forever, they would inevitably develop prostrate cancer. While this has not been substantiated, it has certainly been shown that cancer is much more common among those over 65.