Environmental risk factors of cancer and their primary prevention

This chapter discusses about the environmental risk factors on cancer and their primary prevention. For estimation of environmental risk factors due to excess or deficiency of trace elements, computer simulation of concentrations in the natural environment is considered to be useful. Coincidence of environmental risk factors—mycotoxins and nitrosoamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aromatic amines, and some metals—have the tendency to increase risk factors of incidence of some tumors. An important action for primary prevention is the elimination of exposure to carcinogenic factors in working places and residences, in the outdoor environment, and in food. Some behavioral patterns also contribute to higher incidence of particular types of cancer with synergistic effects of tobacco smoking and occupational exposure being considered important. For ecologically oriented prevention of diseases, multifactorial analysis about the interactions between metals and carcinogens are of special importance. Metal oxide particles modify carcinogenic effects of benzo-(a)-pyrene and nitrosamines and leads to an enhancement of nickel and asbestos carcinogens by polycyclic hydrocarbons.