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Kayleigh Crabtree

Professor Hughes

ENG 1201

26 April 2020

Connection with Cancer: How the Environment Plays a Part

“​Approximately 38.4% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point

during their lifetimes (based on 2013–2015 data)” (“Cancer Statistics”). This percentage does not

appear monumental; however, that percentage has become a part of me twice, and I am only 18

years old. While 38.4 percent may seem like it is not a large number, that changes when your

mom, your grandma, or your dad is affected. My life was altered when I was eight years old. I

was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, which is one of the most common

childhood cancers. I was in treatment for two and a half years, but mentally cancer had taken my

childhood away from me. Three other kids in my community were diagnosed with the same

cancer simultaneously. Then, last year my dad got really sick. He had gotten pneumonia, he

couldn't sleep, and his spleen was enlarged. Like most men, he is against going to the doctor. So

for a long time he would not go. Eventually, he was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia. One of

the first things that came to my mind was if we had both gotten it because it was genetic. The

doctor said no and called it a fluke. That has led me to question, where did we get our cancer

from? Where do the millions of healthy and active people, like the kids in my community, get

their cancer from? The environment. The sun, dirt, water, and foods people eat can be causes of

cancer. It leads me to wonder, just how dangerous it is. ​Cancer comes in all shapes and sizes and

can come from many sources. A source that is not discussed frequently enough is the
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environment due to the simplicity of blaming genetics and being unhealthy but, the science

behind the environment is too much to deny.

Cancer is a term that has been known for an extensive amount of time. The issue of

locating where exactly the “flukes” are coming from is a relatively new topic of discussion.

There have been situations that have led to questions about activities that appeared to have no

negative effects. For example, in the 1900s smoking was trendy; everyone did it. No one was

aware of the long term and negative effects of smoking everyday. For a period of time cigarette

companies even promoted them as something healthy that would extend your life. Obviously

they lied. Then people were presented with a spike in cases of lung cancer and issues related to

lung cancer (COPD). Not until the 2000s did people connect lung cancer with smoking and

actually take action. There is also the case of tanning beds. The rays from the tanning beds are so

powerful that they cause melanoma, which is skin cancer. This means that not only does the

environment have an effect on the risk for cancer but so can the choices that you make. These

examples show that even though something may be portrayed as healthy, it might not be. The

more research that is done surrounding the topic will reveal just how the environment that you

grew up in, work in, or currently live in affects your chance of cancer.

There was a study that was done where they had investigated Egyptian mummies to try to

determine if cancer was present. They had found that there was little to no cancer found through

the mummification process. The article discusses that if one were able to survive through their

childhood they would likely live the amount of time that we do today. It also stated that it was
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not likely for people to die from cancer and that it was very uncommon (Stevenson). In the

ancient Egyptian times there were not many outside factors that could have led to cancer.

There are ways to prevent getting cancer or at least decrease the risk. As previously

stated, before our time cancer was not common and neither were tumors. This is a big step to

show that the issue in today’s society is the environmental factors and the choices that people are

making. If there had been a risk of cancer in Ancient Egypt, this would not be a topic of

discussion. Something in the environment must have changed to alter the rates of cancer that

significantly. Our country, even our world, has become industrialized. The chemicals that

factories and agricultural spaces let off is immense. The air and water has been polluted. That

leaves the lakes that you swim in and the air you breathe dangerous. Lakes have been closed for

swimming because of how toxic the water is. Before Grand Lake St. Mary’s closed, it was free

for people to swim in. A friend of mine was diagnosed after swimming in that lake before it was

closed due to being toxic. The connection to the pollutants and cancer is a neglected topic. The

worst part is it is not just the water and air that could potentially cause cancer

This graphic shows the trend in childhood

Leukemia, due to issues involving the

environment (Norris)
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To survive, it is vital that you energize your body by eating. Therefore the average person

is eating three meals a day, give or take a few snacks. There is an active choice that we as a

collective make when we choose what we want to indulge in. There can be chemicals in the

vegetables and fruits that are produced due to the altering of their biology. Organic fruits and

vegetables are the best choice. On the other hand, there are things that cannot be as controlled.

Foods such as dairy and eggs can be dangerous because the animals could eat foods that are

contaminated by aflatoxin. ​Being cautious of what is being purchased is one of the most

important steps someone can take. Choosing chips over an apple can have serious consequences

as well if taken too far. There are studies that report that eating a lot of red and packaged meats

as well as salty foods can increase colon cancer as well as stomach cancer. In return, there are

also studies that show that a diet with an abundance of fruits and vegetables prevent a list of

cancers that have the potential to be dangerous. So, maybe next time when faced with whether to

choose between the savory chips and a bowl of fresh fruit, opt for the one that will combat

cancer and not cause it. (“Cancer and the Environment: What You Need to Know, What You

Can Do”)

A simple activity that can have severe repercussions is working outdoors. Something as

simple as putting weed killer in the yard can cause cancer. People who do agricultural work have

a heightened risk. There was a study “of people with high exposures to pesticides, such as

farmers, pesticide applicators, crop duster pilots, and manufacturers, have found high rates of

blood and lymphatic system cancers, cancers of the lip, stomach, lung, brain, and prostate, as

well as melanoma and other skin cancers” (“​Cancer and the Environment: What You Need to

Know, What You Can Do”). Working outdoors is not necessarily a safe job. People are exposed
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to dangerous chemicals that can harm their bodies. My dad is a lawn care worker, he has been

doing it for as long as I can remember. He was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia. One of the

causes of this cancer is a chemical that is found in weed killer. They had called his cancer a

“fluke” and said that he had gotten it for no reason. With further research, we figured out that the

weed killer that he had been using for years could be the cause. It is hard to believe that

something is just a fluke, and that there is no reason behind it. Carcinogenic factors are in many

everyday things, so it is important to be aware of the environment.

There are many different ways that someone can get cancer from an outside source.

Something such as ¨industrial activity, which includes drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and

production, has the potential to emit chemicals that may be associated with childhood ALL

and/or NHL¨ (​McKenzie). So, even though someone may eat healthily and live an active

lifestyle, they have the risk of getting cancer just because of where they live. There are also a few

cities that have even been shut down because of dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer and

radiation, such as the Chernboyl nuclear accident. There are professionals that say an extensive

amount of exposure can have fatal and dangerous effects (Greenspan). This is an extreme but

shows that chemicals and certain activities do have the opportunity to create dangerous areas. In

some instances, people may not even realize that a site may be the cause of their cancer. 

A cancer diagnosis never comes easily. No one expects to be admitted to the hospital and

have their lives changed instantly at any given day. There are many questions that should be able

to be answered, but they simply cannot. A patient as well as their family deserve to get answers

especially when it deals with the source of the cancer. Questions are normal. A simple answer is
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not. ​There is a large list of things that could cause cancer such as inherited genes and

environmental impacts. These many things can create mutations that cause cancer. (“Why Is It

Difficult to Pinpoint the Exact Cause of a Person's Cancer?: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute”).​ This

is a struggle for doctors because there are many different places that cancer can come from​.​ The

most that they can usually do is test your genetics and view the risk.  

There are many factors that can influence the origin of the cancer. People often dismiss

the idea that the environment is even a risk at all. People view the environment as ‘safe’, so it is

rarely an option when discussing the causes. It is true that genetics play a part in potential cancer

risk as well as the choices that are made when it comes to diet and exercise. In some instances

diet and the environment are connected. If the environment is dangerous, such as the foods that

animals are being fed or chemicals to treat plants, it is at the fault of the environment that man

has altered. Looking deeper into the issues, one would be able to connect more than they would

assume to the environment. When my dad was diagnosed, the doctor immediately said that it was

a fluke because he was unsure of where it came from. It is common to say that you do not know

because of how difficult it is to pinpoint the exact cause of cancer. It is almost impossible to

determine where a cancer comes from. However, it is important that the environment is

acknowledged as a possibility. The dangers of not recognizing the environment as a risk has

more effects that one would believe. Not making the risks known will lead people to continue to

live their lives in a possibly fatal manner. Opening the eyes of the population has the potential to

save lives, but the dangers have to be recognized.


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It is important to recognize the effect that human carcinogens have on cancer. The

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines carcinogens as “a substance or agent causing cancer”

(“Carcinogens”). They are not discussed enough, leaving lots of space for misunderstanding.

There is an immense number of people that are unaware that carcinogens are in everyday things:

“For example, ​benzene​, a known cause of human leukemia, is a common pollutant in

vehicle exhaust. Radon, a natural radioactive gas found in many homes, raises the risk of

lung cancer. ​Arsenic​, linked to skin, liver, bladder and lung cancer, contaminates some

drinking water supplies. Other known human carcinogens include asbestos, hexavalent

chromium, aflatoxins and vinyl chloride” (Israel).

It is necessary to discuss and understand the effects that simple, everyday things can have on

lives. Some of those chemicals may seem irrelevant because you are unaware of what they are

but here is a list of carcinogenic things that someone would find more common. Alcohol is

carcinogenic as well as processed meats such as hot dogs, salami, and bacon. The list continues. I

suggest investing time to look into your own lifestyle or at least becoming aware of what is being

consumed. 

Cancer is one of the top killers in the United States. Usually a person is able to name

someone they know that has had cancer. It affects almost everyone to a different extent. The

steps that can be taken to dissolve the connection between the environment and getting cancer

are not being effectively being followed. People need to become more aware of how dangerous

certain activities can be. It is important that the dangers are noted in a more intense way. It is

currently easy to ignore them and continue your day. For example, weed killer. There are
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warnings, but they are not put on the bottle in a way where people can see it; the label is hidden

and written in tiny font. Another example is labeling certain meats, or at least letting the

consumers know what exactly the meat they are eating has been fed. It is vital that as a country,

more steps are taken to lower the diagnosis rates, and in return lower the death rates.

Another argument is that someone can only get cancer if they live an unhealthy lifestyle

and have a poor diet. Poor diet and lifestyle choices can have a dangerous effect on someone’s

health. There are people that believe cancer is only genetic and likewise others believe that

someone can combat genetic cancer by a healthy diet and lifestyle. While that may be true in

some instances, there have been many ‘healthy’ people who end up with cancer. There are many

precautions that can be taken such as exercising for thirty minutes to an hour everyday and eating

your daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Checking all of those things off of a list does not

guarantee that you will stay healthy. A poor diet can increase your risk of certain illness and

ailments, including cancer.

Bad diets and a bad lifestyle are notorious for being blamed for causing cancer. While

they do play a large part in the risk, they are not always to blame. A poor diet can lead to a

lowered immune system, which means the body is not able to combat infections well. This also

means that if you are exposed to certain things the body is not able to protect itself against

threats. Poor lifestyle choices, or the lack of exercise can also have an effect on the risk for

cancer. These poor choices could increase the probability of getting cancer.

There is always the argument that exists that tries to tell people that cancer is only

genetic. It creates the false idea that if cancer does not run in your family, you are ‘safe’. There is
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a decent amount of talk about getting a yearly breast exam, and other forms of exams. It is a

common misconception that someone can be ‘immune’ to cancer if it does not run in their

family. There was a study done that showed that “lifestyle and environmental factors account for

around 70-90% of cancer cases, while intrinsic factors account for around 10-30%” (Whiteman).

This means that the environment and the lifestyle choices that are made have a monumental

impact on the risk. Not only does it have a large impact but it is more probable than having it in

genetics. The chance of cancer entering someone’s body is decreased by the measures taken to

ensure that it stays out. Despite this data, people still assume that genetics are the main cause of

cancer. The idea that cancer can grow in many ways needs to be normalized.

This is a misconception that even my family had taken part in, until we had two ‘flukes’.

My grandma had breast cancer, and at least half of her seven siblings also had cancer. My

grandpa's sister also had cancer as well, so it would be safe to assume that, ultimately I would

have it as well. While I did get it, the doctor had informed us that it had nothing to do with

genetics. That leads us to the conclusion that something around me caused it. Then, just last year

my dad was also diagnosed with Leukemia, which is what I had nine years ago. It was a fluke.

Leukemia is not in our genetics, and we both had contracted it from an outside source. It is not

like we are one of a kind. It is a very common misconception that if you get cancer, it must be in

your bloodline. It is difficult to pinpoint where along the line someone has gotten cancer. It is

difficult because there is no way to know for sure where it comes from ​(“​Research Areas: Causes

of Cancer”). Not every cancer is caused by the environment, but that is why research is being

done. Scientists have narrowed in and found many connections between cancer and the

environment. It can even potentially be dangerous because if someone were to lack a genetic
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history of cancer, they might put off getting tested for potentially fatal cancers. For instance if

breast cancer does not run in the family, someone may think that there is no need to get tested

because it is simply just not in their genetics.

Despite data that is being uncovered and recognized, it is still uncommon for someone to

assume that the environment has an effect on their risk for cancer. The research that is being

done may improve the lives of future generations. Making information more accessible to the

population will have monumental impact. The quality of life will be increased. It is vital that

changes need to be made to protect the population. Serious consequences such as increased

cancer diagnosis rates and in return increased death rates could be an impending storm

(Whiteman).

My eight year old self had no idea where my cancer came from. As I was an active and

healthy child, my parents had no idea where it came from either. It is a question that has never

been answered for me until I found out that the environment can have a significant impact on

someone’s risk for cancer. It has given an answer and a burning question. I can never know for

sure where my cancer came from or where my dad’s came from, but I have an idea now. Due to

research that has been done scientists have been able to discover that there is a connection. With

new research I am hopeful that changes will be made to prevent a rise in diagnosis rates. Despite

the differences that people feel when discussing the root of cancer, there is one thing that

everyone can agree on. No person wants to be known as a statistic. To prevent the becoming of a

statistic, people need to open their eyes as well as their minds. Someone’s health and diet have

an effect on their risk for cancer, but the environment has a larger effect than some would think.
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Works Cited

“Cancer Statistics.” ​National Cancer Institute​, National Cancer Institute. 27 Apr. 2018,

www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics​. Accessed 11 April 2020

“Cancer and the Environment: What You Need to Know, What You Can Do​”.​ National

Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, 2003. Accessed 22 March 2020

“Carcinogen.” ​Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary​, Merriam-Webster,

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinogen. Accessed 12 Apr.

2020.

Greenspan, Jesse. “Chernobyl Disaster: The Meltdown by the Minute.” ​History.com,​

A&E Television Networks, 15 Apr. 2019,

www.history.com/news/chernobyl-disaster-timeline​. Accessed 26 Mar. 2020

Israel, Brett. “How Many Cancers Are Caused by the Environment?” ​Scientific

American​, Scientific American, 21 May 2010,

www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-many-cancers-are-caused-by-the-enviro

nment/​. Accessed 10 April 2020

McKenzie, Lisa M., et al. "Childhood hematologic cancer and residential proximity to oil

and gas development." ​PLoS ONE​, vol. 12, no. 2, 2017, p. e0170423. ​Gale In

Context: Opposing Viewpoints,​

https://link-gale-com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/A493765203/OVIC?u=dayt30

401&sid=OVIC&xid=2d618a34. Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.


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Norris, Jeffrey, and Jeffrey Norris. “With Rise of Leukemia in Children, $6 Million Grant

Funds Search for Causes.” ​Berkeley News,​ 28 July 2016,

news.berkeley.edu/2016/07/26/with-rise-of-leukemia-in-children-6-million-grant-

funds-search-for-causes/.

“Research Areas: Causes of Cancer.” ​National Cancer Institute,​ 25 Mar. 2019,

www.cancer.gov/research/areas/causes​. Accessed 29 Feb. 2020.

Stevenson, Heidi. "The Modern Environment Causes Cancer." ​Cancer,​ edited by

Jacqueline Langwith, Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. ​Gale In Context:

Opposing Viewpoints​,

https://link-gale-com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/EJ3010823203/OVIC?u=dayt3

0401&sid=OVIC&xid=1525b04d. Accessed 1 Mar. 2020. Originally published as

"Cancer Is Man-Made, Not Caused by Genes or Living a Long Life: Study

Documents," ​Gaia Health​, 17 Oct. 2010.

Whiteman, Honor. “Most Cancer Cases 'Caused by Lifestyle, Environment - Not Bad

Luck'.” ​Medical News Today​, MediLexicon International, 17 Dec. 2015,

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/304230#Intrinsic-factors-account-for-10-30

%-of-cancer-cases​.

“Why Is It Difficult to Pinpoint the Exact Cause of a Person's Cancer?: Dana-Farber

Cancer Institute.” ​Dana​, 16 May 2017,

blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2017/01/why-is-it-difficult-to-pinpoint-the-exact-cau

se-of-a-persons-cancer/.
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