It’s a known fact that drinking contaminated water can lead to diseases and illness. However, it is not just the water in lakes and rivers that can be contaminated. It is also the water you drink from your faucet. Some deadly diseases are so common that you may not notice them until it is too late. Let us take a look at the seven most dangerous types of cancer caused by consuming contaminated water:
1. Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a disease that can be caused by contaminated water. It’s one of the most common types of cancer in men. It’s even more common in people who live in warm climates or areas with lots of sunshine. If you’ve ever lived near an active volcano or your town has recently been hit by an earthquake, chances are you’re at risk for bladder cancer.
The incident at Camp Lejeune is one of the saddest examples of contaminated water consumption causing bladder cancer. Many people who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between the 1950s and early 1980s were exposed to the contaminated water. It’s estimated that hundreds and thousands of people are affected by this contamination.
Here many people suffered different health conditions from consuming contaminated water. However, symptoms of Camp Lejeune water contamination were not identical for everyone, and some people didn’t experience any symptoms.
Bladder cancer can be treated if detected early on because there are several different ways to detect the disease before it becomes critical and life-threatening. When caught early enough, bladder cancer can often be treated with surgery alone. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible since some types will not respond as well to standard treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
2. Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of death among women in the United States. According to WHO, in 2020, more than 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide, and approximately 685,000 deaths were recorded globally due to breast cancer.
Breast tumors are usually classified as either ductal carcinoma or lobular carcinoma, depending on their origin within the mammary ducts or lobules. Ductal carcinoma that has spread to nearby lymph nodes is known as a “locally advanced” disease. When it has spread to distant body parts, it is called “metastatic” disease.
3. Cervical Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, the rate of cervical cancer cases is 7.8 per 100,000 women in the US. It is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, with more than half a million new cases diagnosed yearly.
It can be treated if caught early enough, but it’s necessary to know that cervical cancer does not always show symptoms. The American Cancer Society recommends women get regular Pap tests and follow up with yearly screenings after age 30.
Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV), which has approximately 150 types of strains. Most people are infected with HPV at some point in their lives and will never know it unless they develop another condition like genital warts or cervical cancer.
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, consider getting your child vaccinated as soon as possible before they become sexually active. Vaccines are most effective when given before someone becomes sexually active. It reduces their risk of contracting HPV from an infected partner who may not even know they have been exposed themselves.
4. Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is a form of cancer that begins in the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. The esophagus connects your mouth and throat to your stomach. According to the American Cancer Society, about 16,410 deaths were reported in 2022 in the US.
Esophageal cancer symptoms include difficulty swallowing, chest pain, coughing blood, and hoarseness. Some people also experience weight loss or a swollen abdomen due to accumulating fluid in their tummy area.
If you notice these signs, you must visit your doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment options before it becomes too late.
5. Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the kidney. This condition can cause pain and other symptoms, including blood clots, fever, and abnormal urinary tract functions.
There are two types of kidney cancer, transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). TCC usually begins in cells on the surface layer where urine collects before it leaves through tubes called ureters into the bladder. RCC can occur anywhere within the kidneys but most commonly occurs near the outer edges, where urine collects before leaving the body through the ureter tube into the bladder.
If you have been diagnosed with kidney cancer or have related symptoms like weight loss or fatigue, it’s crucial to see your doctor. They can check for signs of other illnesses, such as diabetes or hypertension.
6. Liver Cancer
One of the common causes of liver cancer is exposure to toxic chemicals and viruses and a buildup of fat in the liver. It cannot be cured but can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Liver cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. This type of cancer occurs when abnormal cells form in the liver, which multiplies uncontrollably until they invade nearby tissues or spread to other body parts. In addition, the liver’s role in detoxification makes it susceptible to damage from environmental pollutants such as pesticides or air pollution particles like diesel exhaust fumes.
7. Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, with nearly 139,601 fatalities in 2019 in the US, as per the CDC.
The majority of lung cancers are caused by smoking. Tobacco smoke contains many carcinogens, including nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. When you inhale cigarette smoke, these toxins enter your lungs and can damage DNA in cells, causing mutations that lead to lung cancer.
However, some non-smokers also develop lung cancer for unknown reasons. In addition, there’s been a rise in “environmental” or “secondhand” lung cancers that occur when people breathe in particles from cigarette smoke around them or other sources such as radon gas.
If caught early enough, lung cancer can be treated successfully with surgery or radiation therapy, depending on its stage and severity. However, quitting smoking before developing any symptoms is the best way to prevent this disease.
It’s Necessary to Check the Safety of Your Water Supply
Your family’s health is crucial, and the most basic way to ensure that your family has clean water is by checking the safety of their water supply. You can check the quality report on your local water supply. If you don’t know how to read the report, talk with a representative from your local water company or look up information online at the EPA website.
This article has given insight into the dangers of contaminated water in terms of its risks to your health and how to avoid it. Therefore, you must go through the article carefully.
