Modern Lifestyle Tied to Higher Cancer Rates

10/15/2010

Scientists and others have long known that various aspects of modern living - such as diet and pollution - are factors that can raise the risk of cancer. However, researchers have found a very interesting way to provide further evidence for such concerns.

A report in the UK's Daily Mail newspaper focuses on research from Manchester University which found that traces of cancer are almost non-existent in ancient Egyptian mummies. This suggests that much of today's cancer is caused by things like smoking, poor diets, and pollution.

The newspaper added that researchers have also found just one set of Neanderthal remains containing evidence of cancer, while noting that the disease started to emerge more frequently among chimney sweeps and snuff users in the 1700s. The ancient Greeks were reportedly the first to identify cancer as a disease and establish a difference between benign and malignant tumors.

From a health and life insurance perspective, a cancer diagnosis can result in years of higher premiums even for those who survive.

With this in mind, taking steps to follow a healthy diet and regular exercise routine can pay off with financial benefits as well as a higher quality of life.

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