siliconindia | | JULY 20249DNA, which can lead to thyroid and skin cancers. These exposures show why there is a need for safety measures, government regulation, and awareness to prevent harm from chemical and radiation hazards. It is therefore important for authorities to put in place measures that ensure that exposure levels are minimized in order to protect the health of the population and minimize the occurrences of these potentially fatal diseases. "Early detection is crucial for improving cancer treatment outcomes and patient survival rates. Liquid biopsies have shown great promise in the early detection of cancer by detecting genetic alterations associated with tumors", says Dr. Shivani Sharma, Lab Director and Vice-President ,Pathology services, CORE Diagnostics.Dietary Factors & Climate ChangeDietary habits are critical in cancer development, with processed meat and fatty foods increasing the likelihood of colon and breast cancer and increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, having beneficial effects. Research also shows that the Mediterranean diet, enriched with olive oil, fish, and vegetables, is linked to lower cancer risks. Simultaneously, global warming poses significant health threats, altering cancer trends through environmental shifts. These changes include increased UV radiation from ozone depletion, shifts in air and water quality, and heightened disease transmission by vectors, such as hepatitis viruses contributing to liver cancer. Addressing climate change not only mitigates these health risks but also plays a crucial role in reducing environment-related cancer burdens worldwide.Urbanization & LifestyleLifestyle changes that are associated with urbanization strongly influence cancer rates. Physical inactivity and diets that are rich in calories as observed in urban societies lead to increased cases of obesity-related cancers such as colon and pancreatic cancers. Thirdly, people living in urban areas are likely to encounter more of environmental pollutants, which increases the possibility of cancer incidences. It is crucial to tackle these lifestyle factors through urban planning to promote active living and a better diet to reduce the increasing load of cancer in urbanized populations and modern lifestyles.Social Determinants of HealthIt is crucial to take into account that the patient's health-related needs, education, and income, as well as other factors, which are grouped under the social determinants of health, have a critical impact on cancer outcomes. Cancer incidence and mortality often follow the same trends as environmental carcinogens, screening, and treatment availability and utilization based on socioeconomic status. These disparities illustrate the urgent necessity for focused efforts to address contextual factors that affect health equality and lessen the effects of social determinants on cancer. Including such policies can help in the elimination of disparities in health care and, therefore enhance the health of all groups.Genetic Susceptibility & Environmental InteractionsHeredity and environment are closely linked in determining the risk of developing cancer. Some of the genetic changes may increase the risk of developing carcinogens, thereby increasing the impact of the environment on cancer development. These interplays evidence the need to understand these dynamics to enhance the development of personalized medicine and targeted cancer prevention. In this way, the healthcare providers can find out those individuals who are at a higher genetic risk and how the environmental factors influence cancer risk so that better prevention and early detection strategies can be developed. This approach seeks to reduce the chances of developing cancer by focusing on both inherited and acquired factors that may lead to the disease, to improve the general health of patients and the strategies that will be employed to treat them.Conclusion: The case of cancer is a clear indication that environments are very influential in the occurrence of diseases, thus the need for environmental conservation, environmental policies, and health promotion in the fight against cancer. The efforts that promote the reduction of contact with carcinogens, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, and the tackling of socioeconomic inequalities are vital in reducing the global burden of cancer. As a result, we improve people's and communities' awareness of how the environment affects cancer, enabling them to take preventive measures for a stronger fight against cancer. 99
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