The combination of all these factors means that Ahwazis, more particularly Ahwazi children, suffer from abnormally high rates of cancer and other diseases with little or no hope of recovery.

As the authors have been compelled to repeatedly state, the Iranian regime’s decades-long suppression of the Ahwazi people has taken a brutal toll on Ahwazis of all ages, but nowhere are its horrific consequences more heartbreakingly clear than when we look at the heartrending plight of Ahwazi children. 

All too often deprived of schooling, forced to scrounge amid garbage or engage in dangerous labour from the tenderest of ages, already unusually high rates of child cancer amongst Ahwazi children are rising, with thousands dying in recent years. Often their parents are unable to afford the cost of treatment, with the Iranian regime’s ‘revolutionary’ health care system demanding payment from those the regime keeps in destitution out of fear and racism.  

According to the public relations report of Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, the capital of Ahwaz region in Iran; Dr Shokrallah Salmanzadeh, head of the province’s health centre, announced in 2017 at the National Cancer Surveillance Conference: “Every year, about, 6,000 people in Ahwaz get cancer, of which 53% are men and the rest are women.” He added: “Colorectal cancer (colon cancer), lung cancer and, skin cancer are the most common types of cancer seen in Ahwazi men. The most common types of cancer among women in Ahwaz are breast cancer, skin cancer and leukaemia (blood cancer).” The head of the Ahwaz Health Centre added: “Out of 10,465 deaths registered last year in Ahwaz, 4,906 were due to cardiovascular diseases and 1,156 due to cancer, 206 due to diabetes and 480 They died of asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). 

Shafa Hospital is located in the regional capital, Ahwaz city, and is the second-largest regional cancer treatment centre, with almost 90 per cent of adult sufferers and all children suffering from the disease going there for treatment. The statistics cannot tell the tale properly, but we are able to reveal the horrific tragedy by telling the story of some of these children.

Yasmine is five years old; with her head shaved and her body emaciated from the ravages of cancer, only her delicate earrings show that she’s female. Despite the exhaustion in her pale face, her eyes are still full of a child’s hope. Her mother tells DUSC, “We live in Ahwaz. Since October, we have discovered she is infected with one of the strains of leukemia. She should receive chemical treatment. It is said that it could take several years. I fear we could be unable to afford the huge costs of treatment. Do you think there’s hope that Yasmine could improve?”

Yasmine is far from the only case in this ward. Around her are Hassan from Muhammarah, Atefeh from Susa, Mortada from Abadan and Maryam from Khafajiyeh. All are Ahwazi. All are children. And all are not receiving the proper care that could save their lives from a brutal and agonising disease.

Speaking to DUSC on condition of anonymity, an Ahwazi child rights activist said, “It is heartbreaking. I’m snowed under hundreds of cases of these innocent children whose ages range from 5 to 12 in Shafa and Baqai hospital. I visit these child cancer sufferers in both hospitals every two days. Before I visit them, I gather entertaining presents for them like colourful pencils, colouring books, and whatever toys I can buy for them. 

“Even though they’re so young – with the youngest being only six or seven – they’re far older than their years; they’ve been forced by illness to grow up far too fast, and they know that this disease means death will take their souls from their exhausted little bodies. Hanan, a nine-year-old girl, is one of these hundreds of Ahwazi kids with cancer – every each time I sit beside her, I‘m amazed at her deep sense of wisdom and understanding. She’s the second child of her family and has four brothers and sisters, her father works as a street vendor and desperately tries to scrape together enough money to feed his children and buy medicine for Hanan, but the health insurance doesn’t cover all the costs of Hanan’s chemotherapy treatment. She’s been diagnosed with liver cancer in 2020, each time when I give her white paper and colour painting pencils she jumps and draws beautiful child with blonde and long hair and shiny black eyes, I ask her, habibiti Hanan, who is this beautiful girl? She quietly gives me a gentle smile and responds; this is me – my mother told me God will repay me for being here for months and will heal me and my hair will grow up, and I will become beautiful once again. Look at my drawing – does she looks like me, this is me.

“Once, on November 2020, once I was waiting to visit the children in Shafa hospital, my eyes were caught by Hanan’s mother who was sitting in the yard of the hospital crying and groaning, saying, The first thing that came into my mind was that Hanan might have died. I quickly approached the mother, and said, ‘What’s happened? Tell me!’ I couldn’t understand what she was saying while she was crying and trying to speak. I asked her, ‘Why are you wearing black? Has Hanan died?’ 

“She said, ‘No, she hasn’t, but her poor father, my husband, died from corona last week.’ I said, ‘Oh my God – what about you and the rest of the children? Are you okay? Did you get tested to make sure you didn’t contract the disease?’ ‘I’m fine’, she said. ‘But what to do? How to tell Hanan her father has died?’ She continued crying, saying, ‘Hanan will notice my grief and my black robes.’

“I told her ‘Let’s not tell her anymore.’ A few weeks later, she got weaker and weaker, and she slowly lost her interests in drawing, The last time when the doctor entered her room and hugged her tight, I realised she was almost ready to fly – her doctor said, ‘The treatment isn’t working for her, I am very sorry.’ Hanan was lying in the bed, hugging her red bear, asking why her father didn’t visit, and her mother burst out crying, telling her ‘He is waiting for you, he will take care of you, he went to Heaven in the sky, he’s looking down and watching over you.’  

“Hanan died on 6 December. The only memory I have these drawings she gave them to me, I have to photocopy them to share them with her poor mother.” 

The activist added, “The innocent faces and laughter of these children, many of whom are gone far too fast after undergoing cruel chemotherapy, are engraved in my mind. Let me share with you the story of Salma. She was only nine years old. She was telling me she came from a village in Muhammarah. ‘When I became ill, my parents brought me to Ahwaz city’, she said. ‘I was very happy to see the city and the cars and tall buildings, but I am bored – I’ve been here for several weeks. I miss my friends in the village.’ Her parents said, ‘We make a living from farming and have a few cows and goats – we had to sell them to pay for Salma’s treatment, she has leukaemia. Now it’s hard for us even to come to Ahwaz city – the transportation costs are high, Salma was the first beautiful gift of our marriage, we could not imagine losing her…’  

“I sat down beside Salma, and she asked me to give her a few stickers. When I gave them to her, she stuck them on her arms and on the bruises from the needles that punctured her chest and arms, and put the rest on her pale cheeks. I ask her ‘Why did you do that?’ She said, ‘I want to hide the injection bruises from my siblings and show them I’m fine and also cover them when my mother takes videos and pictures of me so that they laugh and be happy when they watch them.’” 

The activist continued, “I got coronavirus and I had to isolate myself for weeks, but I forgot about my suffering and was only thinking about those children who became used to waiting for me to bring them joy and games. During my last visit, Salma’s father and I exchanged phone numbers and I offered for them to stay in our home if they couldn’t manage to commute between village and Ahwaz hospital. I was missing Salma and I called her father – he told me ‘Salma succumbed to the leukemia. We couldn’t save her, she needed a bone marrow transplant.”

The activist continued, “I fell into a deep depression – the number of children infected with various types of cancer is rising shocking, although the hospitals have official orders not to release any figures – but we are seeing it on the ground.” 

Nearly a year ago, on 12 February 2020, Dr Bijan Kikhaei, the director of Sahid Baqai Hospital, said that 90 per cent of the cancer patients seen there cannot afford the cost of treatment, which he said is unreasonably high. 

He announced that nearly 200 Ahwazi children are diagnosed with cancer annually at that one hospital, in addition to another 800 to 1,000 cases of childhood cancer cases across Ahwaz. The real figures may be higher than this as some patients head to hospitals outside the region, in Golestan or elsewhere, for radiotherapy or chemotherapy, while others travel elsewhere in the Middle East or even further afield seeking treatment, depending on their financial capabilities. For nine-tenths of the patients, however, Dr Kikhaei noted, they simply can’t afford treatment in Ahwaz, let alone abroad, with even one session of radiotherapy costing between 100 million to 200 million Rials (around three to six months salary of manual labour), far beyond the means of most Ahwazis subsisting below the poverty threshold. 

A key reason behind the rapidly rising spike in incidents of childhood cancer is the chronic pollution that afflicts Ahwaz. Between the oil and gas fields and refineries belching out thick black smoke around the clock, the desertification resulting from the regime’s massive river-damming and diversion program that has turned much of the once verdant region of farmland into barren desert, and the regime’s use of Ahwaz as a heavy industry centre, with thousands of tons of untreated highly toxic industrial waste jettisoned into the rivers daily, the region is a climate disaster zone. 

This is compounded by depleted uranium dust and other detritus left over from the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s as well as the subsequent Gulf Wars. In June of 2019, the deputy governor of Basra province in Iraq noted a dramatic uptick in cancer there. Located southeast of Baghdad, Basra lies on the west bank of the Shatt al-Arab River, while Ahwaz is on its eastern bank. Geologically related, both Basra and Ahwaz are oil-rich, much as it Kuwait to Basra’s south. 

Earlier, in an interview with Iranian website Khaneh Mellat, published on 3 May 2018, Hedayatollah Khademi, the member of parliament representing Ahwaz, indicated that the air pollution and sandstorms, the heavily polluted rivers, the lingering presence of chemicals still left from the 1980-88 war and the environmentally catastrophic effect of the oil and gas fields, refineries and related petrochemical facilities were known to be the primary main reasons behind the region’s grim and rising rates of cancer, particularly among the Ahwazi children.  

Khademi added that the oil industry’s constant prospecting and construction of new facilities with no thought for the environmental or societal consequences are other reasons behind the rise of these diseases as personnel working on these projects use carcinogenic chemicals, including a liquid called ‘drilling mud’, with particulates of these substances being swept up by the winds and sandstorms in the area and becoming part of the atmospheric pollution inhaled by the people of Ahwaz, leading to abnormally high rates of cancer, as well as respiratory diseases; as usual, the worst affected are the most vulnerable, namely children and the elderly. 

However, while studies have been conducted with the goal of predicting and preventing cancer emergence in Basra, the Iranian regime has utterly refused to disclose any relevant statistic, much less preventative assistance. Worse yet, Basra has not suffered anything like what Ahwaz has been subjected to over the course of decades, in which its very environment has been steadily destroyed as part of criminal genocide, as the authors have previously documented.

What remains of the rivers that sustained generations of fishermen for centuries are now largely lifeless, choked with industrial waste, raw sewage, garbage and untreated wastewater from oil and gas refineries and petrochemical production facilities, as well as sugar refineries constructed on the banks of the rivers, part of the Iranian regime’s sugarcane farming industry, which has been used to justify the ethnic cleansing of large areas in order to plant sugar cane; the growing of sugar crane is water-intensive, using the little remaining river water in the region for irrigation, with the refineries built on the riverbanks using more water in the refining process, ejecting the wastewater together with the chemicals used back into the water and further polluting the already heavily polluted water supply. Hospitals also dump medical waste into the rivers, with environmental protection criteria simply disregarded.  

Airborne pollution from the oil and gas refineries often drifts for some distance before settling, not only creating choking clouds of black smoke but poisoning the ecosystem. The increasing desertification means that the sand in the desert areas becomes mixed with oil and gas particulates from the refineries, with the loss of vegetation leading to toxic sandstorms which in turn have led to widespread increases in respiratory diseases, breathing problems and cancers. 

In addition, there’s been a rapidly increasing rise in recent years in patients contracting allergies compared to the previously recorded figures due to the worsening environmental pollution impacting air, water and soil.

Mohammad Jawad Ashrafi, the Director-General of Environmental Protection for Ahwaz, has stated that “The wastewater treatment situation of 13 hospitals in the north of Ahwaz  is unsuitable,” saying that “Among this group, toxic wastewater from 6 hospitals flows into rivers and water resources of the region.”

Ashrafi condemned the inefficiency of the hospital sewage treatment system in Ahwaz, saying: “The Hazrat Zainab hospitals of Ma’shor (Mahshahr) and Aanbar (Lali) do not have a wastewater treatment plant, the same applies to the defective sewage treatment plant in Golestan and Monfared Neyaki (Army 578) and Sinai hospitals in Ahwaz, as well as to the Imam Reza hospital in Amidia (Omidieya), which have been inactive for more than a year. As a result, wastewater flows into the river in an untreated and unsanitary manner.”

Referring to the deplorable conditions at 59 hospitals in the north of Ahwaz, Mohammad Jawad Ashrafi, noted: “In general, the condition of the sewage treatment system in 13 hospitals is inappropriate.”

The Iranian official also said, “The crisis of polluted water flowing into rivers has caused a major crisis in Ahwaz. About 40 percent of the sewage enters directly from the five main outlets to Karun River, causing many environmental and social problems.”

While the head of Ahwaz Health Centre, Mahdi Husseinizadeh, acknowledged “The discharge of municipal sewage and agricultural drainage poses a threat to citizens’ health,” noting that “more than 70% of Ahwaz sewage enters Karun River,” he did not mention the effects of discharging infectious sewage from hospitals into rivers. 

Husseinizadeh also added: “Among 59 hospitals in Ahwaz, 39 are managed by Ahwaz Jondishapur University of Medical Sciences, four by Abadan University of Medical Sciences, seven by Dezful University of Medical Sciences, four by Shushtar and five are managed by Behbahan University of Medical Sciences.”

A recent statement by Farhad Safdari, the director of Environmental and Occupational Health at Ahwaz Health Centre further confirmed the severe pollution problem, with Safdari noting, “The sewage water flows from 23 points into Karoon River in Ahwaz,” adding that it had earlier been planned that “by 2017 ‘Ahwaz ABFA’ would develop five critical channels, through which about 40% of Ahwaz’s wastewater would enter the Karoon river.”

Mohammed Reza Izadi, a member of Ahwaz City Council, also revealed in an interview with a local news website in Ahwaz around 18 months ago that he had obtained confidential official documents from the Ahwaz Water and Sewage company(ABFA)’s archive showing that local health centres had diagnosed citizens with infectious diseases, including Hepatitis Type A and intestinal diseases, during recent floods there, with medics citing the dilapidated and largely broken down sewage system in the area and the outlets which eject untreated raw sewage into the region’s rivers as primary reasons for the floodwaters becoming polluted with sewage which spread these infections across many Ahwazi areas. 

The official told the news site that when he had announced that the citizens from 13 areas of Ahwaz had contracted Hepatitis A due to the polluted water, the governor threatened him, ordering him not to leak such reports.  

In spring of 2020, news of polluted water causing cholera in Ahwaz emerged, but were again denied by the governor, who claimed that the water supply is monitored by health agencies on a daily basis, urging locals not to pay heed to such rumours. These claims caused widespread anger amongst Ahwazis who flooded social media with videos showing the brackish, foul and undrinkable tap water supplied to their homes which is supposedly monitored by the regime’s health agencies. Such videos are common in Ahwaz where seasonal flooding and water-borne diseases of this nature, which were once unknown in the region which was known for centuries for its crystal-clear rivers and agricultural lands, are increasingly the norm, along with summers plagued by severe water shortages and choking sand storms. Following the most recent seasonal floods which destroyed homes and washed away livestock and even some vehicles, many Ahwazis uploaded videos showing foul sewage water a few feet deep, with health officials in Ahwaz city warning of the danger of gastrointestinal diseases as a result of the pollution of the lands and rivers.  

At the same time, health officials in the province announced that sewage, polluted water and reused water are one of the causes of the spread of infectious diseases. This coincided with another outbreak of cholera, intestinal diseases, skin diseases and diarrhoea, raising concerns among the public about a possibly uncontrollable epidemic of such diseases, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It should be noted that while the problem is worsening, especially in light of the regime’s catastrophic policies, it is not new, with the regime’s failure to repair or upgrade the grossly inadequate and dilapidated decades-old sewage system, much of which is still damaged as a result of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, leading to regular breakdowns and sewage floods. In a region that houses over 95 per cent of the oil and gas resources claimed by Iran, which should be the wealthiest in the country, the indigenous people are living in medieval squalor while the regime makes billions annually from their resources. Every autumn and winter, with the onset of rainfall, the streets of Ahwaz become foul-smelling pools impassable due to the overflow of municipal sewage and the lack of any surface water drainage network. All of these features make this a dreadful, predictable annual event in Ahwaz. 

The current grim economic situation, high unemployment rates and widespread subsistence-level poverty, meanwhile, means that the region’s indigenous Ahwazi people, already suffering as a result of decades of repression, as well as institutional racism, are often unable to afford basic medical treatment, meaning that they will only go to the doctor’ when pain or physical difficulty become too debilitating to ignore; as a result, cancer often remains undiagnosed until it has spread throughout their system and is effectively incurable.  

The combination of all these factors means that Ahwazis, more particularly Ahwazi children, suffer from abnormally high rates of cancer and other diseases with little or no hope of recovery. It is admittedly a historical truth that the world at large suffers from what may be charitably called inertia when it comes to protecting human rights. It takes a significant amount of time for governments and civil societies to rise up and expend the necessary resources to address human rights abuses. But these children do not have that time. 

Thanks to the despicable regime, Hanan and Salma, two little girls never had even the ghost of a chance to fight the unspeakable horror of childhood cancer. Without access to treatments that could have saved them – or could still save other young children wasting away as this is written – the regime’s callousness and ruthlessly suppressive anti-Ahwazi policies have sentenced them to death, a horrifying and excruciating agony. And so, while nations tend to act only in pursuit of their perceived best interests, this is not one of those times. These children need serious medical help now, and that help is being prevented by the Iranian regime. If human rights mean anything, if basic human empathy still exists, this cannot be allowed to continue.

Rahim Hamid is an Ahwazi author, freelance journalist and human rights advocate. He tweets under @Samireza42.

Aaron Eitan Meyer is an attorney admitted to practice in New York State and before the United State Supreme Court, and a researcher and analyst. He has written extensively on lawfare, international humanitarian, and human rights law. He tweets under @Aaronemeyer.

Article first published on Dur-untash Studies Center.

Al-Hariri argued that, “horoscopes only play with people’s weaknesses, while our future is in the safe hands of the Almighty God. Why place it in the hands of a few people? When we choose to do that, we are giving away our free will and the freedom to decide for ourselves”.

He urged people to think logically that “not knowing anything about the future is one of the biggest blessings we have”, as it protects people from getting panicked and depressed.

“Imagine if someone had told us that millions of people around the world would get infected and die of a virus? It would have created havoc, put people in panic, cause anxiety and depression, cripple economies and so on. Not knowing anything about the future is one of the biggest blessings we have – and nothing, not least astrology, can change that”, Al-Hariri said.

Astrology is said to be pseudoscience that claims that human affairs are related to the movements of the stars and other celestial bodies, which is according to German sociologist Theodore Adorno, can be dubbed with the rest of occultism. He referred it as “metaphysic of dunces”, suggesting “a climate of semi-erudition is the fertile breeding ground for astrology”.

Meanwhile, astrology is a hot market in United States where mobile users spend an estimated $39.7 million in the top 10 highest-earning astrology apps.

The top killers are cardiovascular diseases (CVD), everything from hypertension to strokes. They were to blame for 17.8 million deaths in 2017, roughly a third of the 56 million total deaths recorded that year.

Cancers also loom large, accounting in total for 9.6 million deaths.

Respiratory diseases and infections together claimed 6.5 million lives.

Dementia, digestive disease and diabetes all take heavy tolls. And despite recent progress, HIV/AIDS claimed some 942,000 lives in 2017 and malaria 620,000.

Seasonal influenza epidemics kill between 290,000 and 650,000 people a year, the World Health Organization says.

Risk Factors

Viewed by risk factor, high blood pressure was linked to 10.4 million deaths in 2017; smoking to 7.1 million; high blood sugar to 6.53 million; air pollution to 4.9 million; and obesity to 4.7 million.

Everyday life presents other risks. Road injuries proved fatal for 1.24 million people in 2017 – 3,400 a day.

Suicide is another big cause. Close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, or one person every 40 seconds, the WHO estimates. It cites evidence that for each adult who died by suicide, more than 20 others may have attempted it.

There is also violence. About 464,000 people across the world were killed in homicides in 2017, surpassing by far the 89,000 killed in armed conflicts in the same period, according to the Global Study on Homicide 2019 published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Sources: UNODC, WHO, the Global Health Data Exchange of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).

Ferrulli and Kelly Prime, whose son Kyle was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2016, have been fighting to take the tower down for two years. 

Eight children have been diagnosed with cancer at the same elementary school – prompting parents’ fears that a cell phone tower could be to blame.

The affected students at Weston Elementary School in Ripon are all under the age of 10, each with different types of cancer: brain, kidney, liver and lymphoma.

There is scant evidence that cell phone towers pose a real risk to humans, but even skeptics say the number of cases affecting children in such a small city is unusual.

Sprint, which owns the tower, has shut it down despite insisting the radio frequency levels are 100 times below the federal limit.

But the kids’ mothers say their own private investigator found much higher levels, though still below the limit.

Monica Ferrulli, who son Mason was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2016, told CBS:

“It is classified as a possible carcinogen. That tells us that there is some evidence out there.” 

“We’re not naive to the fact that there could be other components out there – other environmental influences… but the bottom line that we feel in regards to this tower is it doesn’t belong there… if there’s any indications that its unsafe.”

Ferrulli and Kelly Prime, whose son Kyle was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2016, have been fighting to take the tower down for two years. 

After hiring lawyers earlier this year, they finally got assurance in March that it would be coming down. 

Their lawyers at The Cochran Firm argue that contamination is the most likely cause of the unusually high rate of childhood cancer in one small area. 

Ripon, east of Sacramento, has a population of around 14,000. 

According to the American Cancer Society, about 411 Californians per 100,000 develop cancer every year. That’s a rate of 0.0041, and includes adults, who are more likely than children to develop cancer.  

Morris says he is not convinced that the tower is harmless. 

But he also says other forms of contamination may be compounding factors, implying that a Nestle plant may have leaked toxins into the soil for years.

“After reviewing thousands of pages of documents, I can say there’s nothing that has made me less concerned,” attorney Marcelis Morris told Fox 40.

“We need to really dig in and find out what is causing all of this cancer to proliferate in the city of Ripon. We want to save lives. We want to prevent this from happening.”

Article first published on Daily Mail.

Mia De Graaf is a Health Editor at Daily Mail.

Everyone knows that some activities and habits can increase your risk of cancer, like smoking, drinking, or overeating. However, there are many things we do every day that can also cause our risk of cancer to increase. Cancer is the second leading cause of U.S. deaths after heart disease, so knowing the risk factors and working to protect yourself just makes sense.

The good news is that “There’s major evidence we can reduce the rates of cancer in the population through prevention.” Susan Gapstur, MPH, Ph.D., and Senior Vice President of behavioral and epidemiology research for the American Cancer Society, believes that limiting your exposure to the following known cancer-causing foods, activities, and jobs can help significantly reduce your risk!

1. Sun Exposure

In the summer, laying out on the beach is an extremely popular activity. People take to the ocean in droves to relax and get some sun. But while being in the sun can help you feel good, it’s also the leading cause of skin cancer. UV rays damage the fibers in your skin and can cause discoloration, tumors, and both precancerous and cancerous skin lesions.

It’s never too late to protect yourself from further sun damage and help prevent skin cancer, though! Make sure that you’re wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, avoid as much sun exposure between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm (peak UV radiation hours), and make sure you’re wearing protective clothing. Following these simple rules will let you enjoy the sun safely and reduce your risk of skin cancer.

2. Fake Tanning

You might think that choosing an indoor tan is safer and healthier for you than tanning in the sun. However, studies have shown that tanning beds and all their associated equipment can be as deadly – and sometimes more dangerous – than sun exposure. Even one tanning bed session can increase your risk of developing melanoma by 20%, and the American Academy of Dermatology believes that over 400,000 cases of skin cancer each year may be caused by indoor tanning.

How can you avoid increasing your risk of cancers like melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma? Simply put: don’t tan! The tanning bed might be tempting, and everyone loves that summer glow, but tanning beds are dangerous. If you really want a tan, consider a self-tanning lotion or cream, or hit up a sunless tanning booth. These options are generally regarded as safe as long as proper instructions are followed.

3. Frequent Flying

Whether you’re a flight attendant, a pilot, or a jet-setting businessperson, you are at a much higher risk of a variety of cancers. Female flight attendants have a 50% higher risk of breast cancer than women in other professions, and frequent flyers are four times more likely to get non-melanoma skin cancer.

Cabin crews are also at an increased risk of cervix, thyroid, colon, liver, and stomach cancer. However, if you’re not a frequent flyer, you likely won’t be exposed to enough ionizing radiation to matter.

4. Smoking

There are 4,800 toxic substances found in cigarettes, and you inhale every single one of them every time you light up. If you smoke, your life expectancy is at least ten years shorter than non-smokers, and your risk of heart attack, lung disease, and a variety of cancers is increased.

The good news: if you stop smoking before age 40, you reduce your risk of dying from a smoking-related disease by almost 90%. And even if you’re over 40, your body notices increased benefits from quitting almost instantly. After three months, your lung capacity is improved, and after five years, your risk of dying from stomach, mouth, throat, lung, or esophageal cancer is cut in half.

5. Drinking

Alcohol may be good for your heart – you’ll often hear people say that a glass of wine a day is beneficial. However, there’s much research to suggest that regular consumption of alcohol can account for an increased risk of cancer in both men and women. Alcohol consumption has been shown to increase the development of several types of cancer, including breast cancer, liver cancer, and esophageal cancer.

If you drink two to three drinks a day, or any more than ten drinks a week, you’re at increased risk. However, cutting your alcohol consumption can positively impact your life in multiple ways! You’ll likely lose weight and will almost definitely reduce your cholesterol, which will also help prevent cancer.

6. Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

Even if you don’t smoke yourself, exposure to secondhand smoke can raise your cancer risk. There’s really no safe level of exposure, and while most public places have banned smoking on the premises, it can be hard to avoid smoke in your home or at private gatherings. Being in the house of someone who smokes, even if they’re not actively smoking at the time, can still harm you; chemicals from cigarette smoke can stick around in furniture and carpets.

The best way to protect yourself from secondhand smoke is to avoid people who smoke or places that allow cigarette smoking. If it’s not possible to avoid smokers, educating them on the risk to you and themselves may convince them to drop the habit for good.

7. Being Overweight

Most people don’t associate cancer with being overweight or obese. Being overweight is more often associated with diabetes or heart disease. However, about 8% of all cancers can be attributed to being overweight or obese, so losing weight can help you lower the risk of getting a variety of cancers, including liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, and more.

“Body weight plays a role in inflammation, changes in hormone levels, and can affect biochemicals in your body like insulin,” says Gapstur. Luckily, losing weight immediately reduces the risk of these types of cancer. It also increases your rate of survival, should you be diagnosed.

8. Getting Your Nails Done

With the rise in conscientious consumerism, many customers know that nail polishes traditionally contain cancer-causing compounds. Chemicals like triphenyl phosphate, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate can all cause cancer or congenital disabilities.

The danger of getting your nails done doesn’t just impact clients, however. Manicurists are also at increased risk of being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. If you’re a manicurist or simply love getting your nails done, make sure to only go to salons that provide gloves and masks. Check for proper ventilation as well!

9. Drinking Tap Water

It’s long been understood that unfiltered tap water can be dangerous to your health. From Erin Brokovich’s exposure of chromium-6 in Hinkley, CA to the ongoing saga of Flint, MI, tap water and the potential compounds it contains have been in the news a lot. And while most tap water goes through some sort of filtration before coming to your house, that doesn’t mean it’s safe.

In addition to chromium-6, you can find arsenic, disinfection byproducts, nitrates, and more lurking in your water supply. The best option is to invest in your own water filter, whether through a pitcher or by installing a secondary filtration system in your home. You should also regularly check to see what chemicals may be in your tap water.

10. Inactivity

Many adults work sedentary jobs, sitting at a desk for eight or more hours every day. However, the ACS recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every week, spread out over several days. If you’re not getting exercise, you’re in danger of developing colon cancer, breast cancer, or endometrial cancer. There are other cancers you’ll also be at higher risk of getting, including liver, myeloma, and kidney cancer.

However, increasing the activity in your life can help improve your immune system, reduce inflammation, and lower the levels of certain growth factors that have been associated with cancer development and progression. So going on a walk every day, riding a bike, or taking a dip in a pool can help you lose weight and improve your health!

11. Working The Late Shift

The connection between sleep and cancer is still a developing field of research, but several studies have indicated that there’s a link between poor sleep and increased cancer risk. People with circadian rhythm disorders may have a higher rate of breast and prostate cancer.

Those most commonly at risk for sleep disorders include people who work in overnight or graveyard shifts. Night nurses, third shift workers, and people who work split shifts that may disrupt sleep cycles are in danger of increased cancer risk. If possible, avoid working a job that requires odd hours; when that’s not possible, try to ensure that you’re getting regular sleep, even if it’s not at night.

12. Radon Exposure

Not many people know about the danger of radon exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas found naturally in the air, soil, and water, and is carcinogenic in concentrated amounts. Radon is a naturally occurring gas, and some parts of the country deal with higher rates. Some building materials can also emit radon.

Luckily, you can easily test for radon by purchasing a testing kit or working with a radon professional. Generally speaking, reducing radon in your home is a reasonably straightforward process, and you can contact your state radon office for a list of professionals that are available to help.

13. Getting Your Clothes Dry-Cleaned

When you’re preparing for a special event, you want to look your best. For many people, that means getting your outfit dry-cleaned so that you know it’s truly stunning. However, most dry cleaning processes use a chemical called “perc,” which is a known health hazard. If you work in a dry cleaner or regularly get your shirts starched and pressed, you may be at higher risk for esophagus, kidney, and bladder cancer.

If you absolutely must dry clean your clothes, try to minimize how often you do so. Since it’s regular exposure to the chemical that increases your risk of getting these cancers, infrequent dry-cleaning shouldn’t be an issue.

14. HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the single most commonly sexually transmitted infection, and many people with HPV don’t develop any symptoms. However, even without exhibiting symptoms, people with HPV have an increased risk of developing several different types of cancer. The ACS estimates that over 31,000 men and women are diagnosed with HPV-caused cancers every year.

If you don’t have HPV, getting the Gardasil vaccination can protect against infections. If you’re over 26, however, the vaccine may not be effective. In that case, it’s imperative to get screened regularly if you’re sexually active and seek treatment if you are diagnosed with precancerous cell changes.

15. Eating Processed Meat

Bacon, hotdogs, lunchmeat – nearly everyone loves processed meats. However, research shows that eating any processed meat increases the risk of both stomach and colorectal cancers. Processed meats are generally made with nitrates and nitrates, which can form nitrosamines when heated. These carcinogenic compounds can build up and cause issues.

You can look for nitrite- and nitrate-free selections of processed meat. You can also save your consumption of processed meats like bacon and sausage for special occasions. But overall, it’s best to avoid eating processed meat entirely if at all possible.

16. Drinking Overly Hot Beverages

Many people start their days off with hot coffee or tea, especially in the winter. Hot chocolate, cider, and other hot drinks are often shared at social occasions, and people don’t think twice about partaking. However, beverages served over 140 degrees Fahrenheit can elevate your risk of esophageal cancer.

Dr. James Doidge, a senior research associate at University College London, says “It doesn’t take a scientist to appreciate that repeated irritation of any body surface increases your risk of cancer…many foods and drinks contribute to the risk of gastrointestinal cancers.” Most hot commercial beverages are served at between 140-160 degrees F. To reduce your risk, let the drink cool before taking your first sip.

17. Heating Takeout Containers

If you’ve ever reheated your takeout in the container it came in, then you may have put yourself at risk of exposure to styrene. Styrene is used in the creation of a variety of things, including many types of food containers. Studies have shown that repeated exposure to this chemical can increase your risk of cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, as well as cancer of your pancreas or esophagus.

While most people will only experience the potential of styrene exposure through food containers, people who work in fabrication can also be exposed. At home, you can limit your risk of exposure by directly transferring your takeout to a standard plate or bowl!

18. Eating Red Meat

Like processed meat, red meat can also contain nitrates and nitrites. However, even without these compounds, the process of cooking and eating red meat can expose you to other cancer-causing compounds, like heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). When you grill a steak or cook a burger over an open flame, these compounds are created. So as mutagenic compounds, they can change your DNA in ways that can increase your cancer risk.

The American Institute of Cancer Research recommends eating less than 18 ounces of red meat per week to avoid increasing your risk of colorectal cancer. Lower your consumption of burgers and other red meat, including pork and lamb, and try subbing in meatless meals.

19. Having Unprotected Sex

Sex has several health benefits, like reducing stress and boosting your immune system. However, having unprotected sex also comes with its own dangers. Most notably, having unprotected sex puts you at risk for contracting STIs like HPV and chlamydia, both of which have been linked to increased cancer risk.

Because both of these STIs can have subtle symptoms – or none at all – it’s essential to be regularly tested if you are engaging in unprotected sex. The easiest way to prevent exposure to these STIs is, of course, using protection.

20. Gardening

If you love to garden, you probably hate weeds. But unfortunately, if you choose to take care of those weeds with weedkiller, you’re putting yourself in danger. Glyphosate, the most commonly used weedkiller, has been shown to be carcinogenic to humans.

To keep your garden looking gorgeous without using harmful chemicals, consider turning to natural methods of weed control. Shade the soil around your plants, be careful about what types of compost you use, and make sure to pull up the entire plant when weeding by hand. Using a few simple tricks will help both you and your garden thrive.

21. Eating Trans Fats

While trans fats have been banned, they can still turn up in your food. Trans fats are human-made fats that can increase your risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Women with the highest levels of trans fats had double the risk of developing breast cancer as women with the lowest levels.

Common foods that may still contain trans fats include snack foods like frozen pizza and microwave popcorn, fast foods, margarine and shortening, and ready to use frostings. The best way to avoid eating trans fats is to check the label and ingredients. If a product says it contains partially hydrogenated oils, don’t eat it!

22. Exposure to Air Pollution

It’s no secret that air pollution is dangerous. Many components of air pollution have already been classified as carcinogens, but for the first time, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified outdoor air pollution as a whole as a cancer-causing agent. Particulate matter – a major part of outdoor air pollution – can increase the risk of lung and bladder cancer.

While we can’t just breathe less, we can still take action to protect ourselves and future generations. By supporting higher regulatory standards on industries that cause the most pollution and standing behind clean energy and improved mass transit, you can help work to reduce the risk of air pollution.

23. Inherited Risk

One of the things we can’t change is who our parents are, but that can mean an increased risk of certain types of cancer. The most common cancer associated with inherited gene mutations is breast cancer, which develops from the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These gene mutations can also increase the risk of ovarian cancer in women, as well as pancreatic and prostate cancers.

While you can’t prevent these inherited gene mutations, knowledge is the key. Make sure to study your family history for increased instances of breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Check yourself regularly, both through self-screening and the appropriate procedures at your doctor. Taking preventative measures early and often can reduce your risk of developing these cancers.

24. Asbestos Exposure

People have known about the danger of asbestos for years, but older buildings – like schools, older homes, or older public buildings – may still put you at risk of exposure. Inhaling asbestos can cause mesothelioma, a rare, aggressive form of cancer that doesn’t have a cure.

Insulation, fireproofing products, older consumer products, and construction materials all have the potential to contain asbestos. If you live in an older home, make sure to have it checked by an asbestos professional. If you’re concerned that your workplace may put you at risk of exposure, speak to your HR department or another person in charge to arrange an inspection.

25. Eating Fermented Foods

While fermented foods can have a number of health benefits, there’s increasing reason to believe that some fermented foods can increase your risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Much like processed meats, some fermented foods contain high amounts of nitrates and nitrites, which react with proteins in your body to form nitrosamines.

We’re not suggesting you cut fermented foods out of your life completely, especially since the probiotics they provide can be beneficial to gut health. However, be mindful of how much you’re eating, and check ingredient lists if you’re not making your own. Eating a balanced diet that includes fermented foods like pickles, sauerkraut, or kimchi as a treat should be safe.

26. Chewing Tobacco

Some people view chewing tobacco as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, but smokeless tobacco can be just as harmful to your health. In addition to containing higher amounts of nicotine, oral tobacco contains at least 28 chemicals known to cause cancer.

If you use any smokeless tobacco, you’re at a higher risk of mouth cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, and more. You may also be at increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. It’s important to quit using chewing tobacco as soon as possible to reduce your risk of getting painful cancer.

27. Having Diabetes

Bad news – having either type 1 or type 2 diabetes can put you at a higher risk for cancer. Women with diabetes are at a higher risk than men; they’re 27% more likely to develop cancer, while men are only 19% more likely.

While there is no cure for type 1 diabetes, you can reverse type 2 diabetes through diet changes and weight loss. Maintaining a normal blood sugar level with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can help reduce your risk. Scientists believe that consistently high blood sugar may trigger the DNA mutations that can increase the danger, so work with your doctor to manage your blood sugar.

28. Radiation Exposure

This one seems fairly obvious. Exposure to high amounts of radiation is dangerous and can damage your tissues. But even frequent exposure to small amounts of radiation can, over time, be hazardous to your health. Moreover, radiation can come from unexpected places, like your TV, cell phone, or even your car.

While the people at highest risk are those who work around radiation every day, it’s essential to monitor your radiation exposure and limit it when you can. Try to stay out of the sun and protect yourself from UV light. If you’re pregnant, older, or have a compromised immune system, it’s especially important to protect yourself from radiation.

29. Exposure to Diesel Exhaust

Diesel fuel is a popular fuel for large engines, including trucks, buses, trains, and more. Unfortunately, while these vehicles offer benefits like better fuel economy and a more rugged engine that requires less maintenance, they also belch over 30 different types of carcinogens into the air.

Diesel exhaust is conclusively linked to lung cancer and may put you at higher risk for esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, and more. If you drive a personal vehicle fueled by diesel, it may be time to consider switching. If you have to drive a diesel-powered car for work, limit the time you spend around your vehicle while it’s running, and ask your employer about a personal respirator.

30. Gene Mutations

In addition to inherited gene mutations, certain activities during your life can cause gene mutations. Sun exposure, for instance, causes mutations in your genes that can lead to skin cancer. Some gene mutations occur as errors made by DNA, which are linked to up to 10% of all cancer diagnoses.

To reduce your risk of cancer because of genetic mutation, try to avoid activities that may cause issues and make sure that you’re checking your body regularly. While you can’t prevent genetic mutation, catching cancer early can significantly increase your chances of survival.

Article first published on Medical News.