Understanding causes of a disease like bone cancer helps experts and doctors around the world find a cure for it. If they can find out what is causing the problem, they can try to find a cure that focuses on killing the causes. People who understand the different causes and possible risk factors for the disease are put at an advantage. They are able to recognize if they have experienced any of the possible causes or risk factors of the cancer, and they can go to a doctor and seek immediate diagnosis and treatment. Bone cancer is a disease that does not affect many people, but it is important to understand causes and risk factors. This is because if bone cancer is not caught early enough, it can lead to loss of limbs, cancer spreading to other areas, and even death.
It is not known exactly what causes bone cancer. There are three types of bone cancer that originate in different cells throughout the body, but it is not known why these cells develop cancerous properties. Experts and doctors do know that bone cancer begins as an error in a cell’s DNA. This error tells the cells to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way that is not normal in the human body. These cells will go on living, unlike normal cells who die at a set time. These cells accumulate in their mutated states and form a mass that is known as a tumor. This tumor can invade nearby structures, and they can spread to other areas in the body.
Although there is not much known about exactly what causes bone cancer to develop in the body, there is a lot of information about the possible risk factors that can increase a person’s chances of developing bone cancer. Having one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean that a person will develop bone cancer. It just means that a person who has these risk factors is more likely to develop bone cancer compared to a person who does not have any of these risk factors.
One of the main risk factors for bone cancer is age. Bone cancer is more common in children and young adults, which is uncommon for cancer in general. This is because the bone cancer seems to be linked to the growth of the bones during puberty. Certain types of bone cancer, like osteosarcoma, are more common in older people. This may be because of Paget’s disease, which is more common in the elderly.
Some people are at a higher risk of developing bone cancer because of inherited genetic syndromes. Like most cancers, it is more common for people to get a certain type of cancer if a family member has had it before. One rare genetic syndrome that passes through families that causes bone cancer is called Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Another syndrome is called hereditary retinoblastoma. If anyone in your family has had either of these syndromes, it is important to go to a doctor to discuss your risk of bone cancer.
One last risk factor that can cause the development of bone cancer is radiation therapy for cancer. Although radiation is used for cancer treatment, a person can actually develop cancer in their bones if they are exposed to large amounts of radiation. For example, if you get radiation therapy for skin cancer, your risk of developing bone cancer later on is a little higher.
Being aware of the causes and risk factors for bone cancer is important for an early diagnosis. Recognizing and catching bone cancer in its earliest stages is essential to ensuring that it does not get worse or spread to other areas of the body.