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Environmental toxins can lead to blood cancer. Read on to know more and find about the precautionary tips to take.
The doctor explained how long-term exposure to environmental toxins has the potential to weaken the immune system.
Genetic predisposition and lifestyle elements generally play a significant role in influencing blood cancers. However, most individuals overlook another major factor responsible for increasing the risk of developing blood cancer – environmental toxins. Yes, environmental toxins such as heavy metals, industry pollutants, and pesticides act as contributors to mutations and disruptions in the hematopoietic system of the human body. Oncquest Laboratories doctor Shivali Ahlawat recently opened up about how these toxins can affect our blood cells in an interview. “Long-term exposure to these toxins can weaken the immune system and cause DNA mutations, which can lead to cancerous changes in blood cells,” she told Hindustan Times.
In the interview, Dr Shivali Ahlawat talked about how benzene can increase the risk of blood cancer in the human body. “A major carcinogen is benzene,” the doctor said. “In the opinion of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), chronic exposure to benzene increases the risks of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), as a result of damage to hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow,” she added. Dr Ahlawat further claimed benzene is present in cigarette smoke, vehicle emissions, and industrial solvents. She even suggested that benzene can negatively impact the human body’s production of blood cells.
Dr Shivali Ahlawat also explained how heavy metals and radiation may lead to the development of different blood cancers. “Additional heavy metals including arsenic, together with long-term exposure to ionizing radiation from industrial sources or medical imaging, also have associations with the development of different blood cancers,” she said. Dr Ahlawat claimed that these ‘agents’ disrupt the routine cellular repair process in the human body. According to her, it may cause instability within the genome. Dr. Ahlawat added that certain agricultural pesticides have also been linked with an elevated risk for the development of different types of blood cancers.
Apart from highlighting the causes, Dr Shivali Ahlawat also opened up on the remedies to avoid the risk of developing blood cancer. She explained that individuals involved in high-risk jobs must use protective gear to reduce exposure to carcinogens. “Regular screenings available through specialized cancer testing labs facilitate prompt identification of blood abnormalities, which improves results,” the doctor added.
A better knowledge of the dangers of environmental toxins can help us protect ourselves from the risks of developing blood cancer. Understanding the perilousness of the situation can enable us to take proactive steps to safeguard ourselves.
