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How does consuming alcohol put the body at risk of developing cancer?

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  Lifestyle habits and environmental factors can affect a person's cancer risk. Dr. Paolo Boffetta is an epidemiologist and one of the leading researchers on cancer and other chronic diseases. He has contributed to understanding the role of occupation, environment, alcohol, smoking, and nutrition in disease development. This blog post discusses the link between cancer and alcohol consumption. Image source: Unsplash.com Drinking alcohol can cause cellular damage due to oxidative stress leading to reactive oxygen species in the cells. Alcohol also turns into acetaldehyde inside the body, which can cause damage to the DNA cells. While many are familiar that alcohol can inflame and scar the liver, many people don't know that these can alter the liver cells. Those who are considered heavy drinkers are five times more at risk than casual drinkers. They can develop mouth, throat, and esophageal cancers as alcohol can damage tissues in these parts of the body. For those w

Breast cancer risks: What people need to know

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Image source: discovermagazine.com Although Dr. Paolo Boffetta has practiced medicine for years, he has never stopped learning. Even today, he still does research, looking into reports and journals on cancer patients to add to his already vast knowledge on the subject matter. What’s more is that he unselfishly shares what he knows to readers everywhere through his series of blogs. A good example of this can be found in today’s blog, wherein Dr. Paolo Boffetta sheds light on breast cancer risks. Before anything, Dr. Paolo Boffetta defines the term risk factor as anything that increases the possibility of a person developing or contracting a disease. For breast cancer, there are a variety of risk factors that can be grouped in two main categories – controllable and uncontrollable. Dr. Paolo Boffetta mentions that similar to other cancers, knowing about these risk factors and regularly checking them may be helpful. He also notes that the presence of one or more of these factor

What happens to the body when you stop smoking?

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Image source: blog.ochsner.org Smoking is a vice known to usher in illnesses like lung cancer, heart disease, diabetes, liver failure, erectile dysfunction, tuberculosis, and several other severe conditions. Experts like Dr. Paolo Bofetta strongly suggest people to stop smoking to prolong their life. Because as doctors say, the minute you stop smoking, your body begins to heal. And the longer you stop smoking; the more your body can recover. This is what happens to the body when you stop smoking altogether. In just 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure decrease. And after 12 hours of not smoking, the carbon monoxide levels in your body becomes normal once again. These may not seem significant, but you’re already reducing the risk of a heart attack less than 24 hours into quitting. After two weeks, your blood circulation increases because of improved lung function and capacity. You’ll have more energy because of your ability to take in more oxygen. And the more oxygen

Environmental management: Lessening cancer risks at home and in the office

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Image source: Unsplash.com Every day, a person can be exposed to multiple environmental factors that might harm their health. For example, outdoor pollution is a classified carcinogen that millions in urban areas are exposed to. Radon gas that can't be smelled or seen could be circulating in many homes. Despite this reality, Dr. Paolo Boffetta and other researchers believe that one can avoid these risks with lifestyle modifications and management. Here are some ways to lessen cancer risks at home and in the office. Get the home and office tested for environmental toxins Many homes have high asbestos and radon content that most residents aren't aware of. Having homes and offices tested will ensure all residents' safety, especially after doing construction projects and preventing further exposure to these harmful toxins. If the place has been detected with these carcinogens, environmental safety agencies can help owners prevent and manage the situation. Reduce UV radiation

Who was Jacques Derrida?

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Image source: Britannica.com Dr. Harvey Shapiro is a clinical professor at Northeastern University who has extensive knowledge on the interpretations of violence in education, ethical leadership, interdisciplinary, the philosophies of Giorgio Agamben, Jacques Derrida, and John Dewey, and Hebrew literature.  Today’s blog introduces readers to Jacques Derrida, a philosopher who figures largely in many of Dr. Shapiro’s lessons. Jacques Derrida was born in Algeria, and is French philosopher who developed deconstruction , which is a type of semiotic analysis. Throughout his life, Derrida used deconstruction in the context of phenomenology, thus making him one of the key philosophers often linked to post-structuralism and postmodern philosophy. Derrida was also a prolific writer, having published over 40 books and hundreds of essays and presentations. Dr. Shapiro notes that the French philosopher’s impact on modern schooling cannot be understated, especially in the areas of humanities,

What are the harmful toxins found in cigarettes?

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Countless people risk their lives every day by smoking cigarettes. Numerous studies have already made conclusive findings showing cigarette smoking causes several types of cancer, as well as a plethora of lifestyle illnesses. Dr. Paolo Boffetta explains that one only needs to see the contents of a cigarette to know that it's a deadly habit. Here are some harmful toxins that you can find in a cigarette. Image source: independent.co.uk Nicotine : Nicotine is the stuff people go for when smoking. It's what gets people addicted to smoking in the first place. It can cause an increase in blood pressure, abnormal heart rate, hardening of arterial walls, and can eventually lead to heart attacks. It is also widely used as a form of insecticide. Arsenic : Ingesting large amounts of arsenic can lead to severe symptoms such as vomiting, damage to the nervous system, and even death. It's such a potent poison. It is often used as the active ingredient for rat poison. Formalde
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Image source: Pexels.com Battling cancer through proper nutrition: Healthy anti-cancer food Dr. Paolo Boffetta explains that though the battle against cancer is an extremely tough one, there are still a number of ways to beat the dreaded disease. One of the most well-documented ways is through food. Below is a list of food that Dr. Paolo Boffetta recommends that people consume in five to nine daily servings. Berries : The phytonutrients in berries protect the body against cancer. Combined with antioxidants, phytonutrients make berries quite a potent weapon against cancer. Black raspberries, which are abundant in anthocyanins, inhibit the proliferation of esophageal and colon tumors. Broccoli : Broccoli has been hailed as the king of vegetables and for a good reason. It has sulforaphane, which boosts the body’s creation of enzymes that battle carcinogens and cancer cells. It also has antioxidants, which are great in decreasing the chances of cancer development.