What causes cancer?
Research shows that changes in the DNA or mutation within cells can cause cancer. The DNA within the cells contains sets of specific instructions telling them what functions to make. Any disturbances in these instructions can impede the normal function of the cells and become cancerous.
There are two factors in gene mutation, these are:
- Hereditary genes or genes that you are born with commonly inherited from your parents
- Gene mutations that appear after birth which includes
o radiation
o viruses
o carcinogens or cancer-causing substances
o obesity
o hormones
Gene mutation can signal health cells to:
- Allow increase cell production which also creates numerous cells that have the same mutation.
- Unable to stop cell growth. This may be fatal if cancer cells already started developing in the body, which significantly spread in numbers.
- Create mistakes when repairing DNA. A DNA mutation may include cells that are not repairing properly which can lead to cancer cell productions.
According to the US National Cancer Institute, cancer continues to top the most dominant public health concern. In spite the declines in the death report over the past two decades, cancer remains the number one cause of death in America. Some of the reports include:
- In 2016, at least 68 million people were diagnosed with cancer. Breast, lung, colon, prostate, and bladder cancer as the most prevalent type of cancer.
- Around 40% of all people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.
- For the year 2016, an estimated 600,000 people will die because of cancer.
Contributing factors for cancer are wide-ranging, which includes:
- age
- family history
- hormonal balance
- sun exposure
- substance abuse
One of the most abused drugs in the world is methamphetamine. The highly addictive drug provides users of increased energy levels and feelings of euphoria. The drug also generates deadly damages in the brain and other organs in the body. Post-mortem examinations link the drug to illnesses related to aging like coronary atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs).
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine discovered how methamphetamine affects cells. They administered the drug in lab rats and found out that it causes abnormalities in fat metabolism. The condition triggered extreme inflammation and drastic increase in ceramides formation, causing the cells to age and die.
This can explain ravaged, haggard and gaunt look of meth users. Crystal meth drastically changes the physical appearance of users because the drug can speeds up aging.
Some of the result from the experiment provides an explanation about crystal meth. These include:
- Meth causes diseases related to physical appearance and aging
- Scientist discovered that the drug can alter fat metabolism in the cells.
- The drug triggers production of ceramides in the body, a protein associated with cell aging and death.
Other chemicals used to meth contributes to its deadly effects
To produce methamphetamine involves various toxic chemical processes. Some of the ingredients are toxic and carcinogenic in nature. Most the ingredients needed to make meth includes:
- explosives
- acids
- bases
- metals
- chemical salts
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
These toxins involved in manufacturing methamphetamine can increase cancer risk not only for users but for handlers as well. Chemical called benzene is a type of VOC which can cause cancer.
Some of the examples include:
- the chemicals which the handlers are exposed
- how much of each chemical the handlers are exposed
- the duration of the exposure
- the health condition of the handler
Handlers can experience the same symptoms of meth users when exposed to the chemicals used to manufacture the drug. Exposure to VOCs can cause:
- headaches
- nose and throat irritation
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting
- confusion
- breathing problems
Chemicals used in methamphetamine production and its effects:
Acid or bases used in processing meth can cause:
- mucous membrane irritation
- burning sensation on the skin
- severe eye damage.
Metals and chemical salts can generate severe health problems like:
- respiratory irritation
- decreased mental performance
- anemia
- kidney problems
- birth defects when handled substance during pregnancy
While dangerous chemicals like lead and mercury can cause further detrimental effects on the body.
Abusing meth can greatly weaken all aspects of well-being. Here are some of the critical factors that can contribute developing cancer:
- The frequency of use
- Duration of addiction
- Amount of meth used (dosage)
- The age of the user
- The overall health condition of the user
Users take meth in various ways like smoking, snorting and swallowing. But injecting the drug increased the risk of acquiring cancer. Other health hazards like Hepatitis B, C, and Aids.
Most users share needles which spread blood borne diseases like Hepatitis B and C. Their risky behavior involves unsafe sexual activity that helps spread AIDS. If not addressed properly, hepatitis can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the country alone, some 20,000 people die because of liver disease. This is why there’s a need to intensify Rehab Marketing to help people.