Doctor, Can I Avoid Cancer?
Patient: Doctor, I read an article recently that said “carcinogens” (cancer-causing substances) are everywhere. It said they are in our food, our air, and even our homes. Is it true that they are unavoidable?
Doctor: I understand your anxiety. In the age of the internet, it is easy to feel that everything is dangerous. To be honest, yes, carcinogens are present in many places, from vehicle pollution and processed foods to household chemicals. But “presence” does not always mean “danger.”
Patient: Does that mean I am going to get cancer for sure?
Doctor: Not at all. Think of it like a lottery. Getting exposed to a carcinogen is like buying a ticket. Having one ticket does not mean you will win the lottery, but having thousands of tickets increases your chances. Similarly, getting cancer depends on how much you are exposed to (dose), how long you are exposed (duration), and your own genetics.
Patient: Where do we commonly get these “tickets” or carcinogens from?
Doctor: The biggest ones are actually the ones we choose: tobacco, alcohol, and processed meats. Then there are environmental factors like UV rays from the sun, city pollution, and sometimes chemicals in pesticides. Surprisingly, even our homes can have natural sources, like Radon gas.
Patient: Radon? I have never heard of that. Is it common in India?
Doctor: Radon is not much talked about, but it is real. It is a natural, colourless, odourless gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks. It can seep into houses through cracks in the floor or walls. In poorly ventilated ground-floor houses, it can accumulate.
Patient: Is it dangerous?
Doctor: Yes, Radon is a known carcinogen. In fact, it is a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. But the solution is usually simple… good ventilation.
Patient: That is scary! I don’t smoke or drink. But how do I protect myself from things like Radon or pollution?
Doctor: You don’t need to live in fear. The key is “Risk Reduction.” Keep your home well-ventilated, open the windows to let fresh air circulate. This dilutes indoor pollutants like Radon and cooking fumes. Wash your vegetables well to remove surface pesticides. And most importantly, avoid the known poisons like tobacco and alcohol.
Patient: I have heard people saying we must use expensive air purifiers and eat only organic food to avoid cancer. Is that necessary?
Doctor: Air purifiers and organic food are good if you can afford them, but they are not a magic shield. There is no guarantee that eating organic will prevent cancer if other lifestyle factors are poor. It is better to focus on what gives you the maximum benefit… a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, daily exercise, and keeping your weight in the correct range.
Patient: So, should we need not live in fear of everything we touch and eat?
Doctor: Absolutely not. Such stress itself is bad for your health! Let me tell you about a patient of mine, Kumar. He worked in construction with asbestos, a known carcinogen. When he realized the risk, he didn’t stop working, but he started using protective gear. He also quit smoking and started eating better. By managing what he could control, he significantly lowered his risk.
Patient: That makes sense. So I just need to be aware and practice moderation, not panic.
Doctor: Exactly. Be aware, not afraid. Do the basics right… eat fresh, move more, avoid addictions… and your body will handle the rest.
Patient: Thank you, Doctor. I feel much more relaxed now.
Doctor: You are welcome.
Dr. Shashikiran Umakanth (MBBS, MD, FRCP Edin.) is the Professor & Head of Internal Medicine at Dr. TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi, under the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). While he has contributed to nearly 100 scientific publications in the academic world, he writes on MEDiscuss out of a passion to simplify complex medical science for public awareness.
