**5. Conclusion**

The heavy metals have been shown to be responsible for a variety of human illnesses. These illnesses develop as the result of unwanted exposure whether by internal or external processes. One of the major health problems associated with heavy metal exposure is the development of a variety of cancers. The most common risk factors for developing cancer are exposure to heavy metals in the form of industrial based carcinogens, in cigarette smoke, and through foods consumed, thus via the diet. The toxicity associated with heavy metal poisoning can vary from minor conditions to major diseases, such as cancer. Both are capable of compromising overall human health. It is a fact that the major pathway responsible for human exposure, more often than not, is linked to both environmental and occupational exposure. Comparable studies have demonstrated higher levels of heavy elements, such as arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, lead, and nickel were present in cancerous tissue when compared and measured against non-heavy metal exposure in tissue from controls. Thus, limiting human exposure to heavy metals is sound public health policy; however, successful health policy must include cooperation from local, regional and national government agencies to develop, approve, implement, and then enforce those policies in order to reduce the links between heavy metal exposure and the major health concerns associated with exposure. The challenge seen for local, state, national and/or federal governments is to take these health concerns seriously and devise suitable and cost effective remedies to reduce the overall impact of heavy metals on the health consequences for its citizens.

*Role of Heavy Metals in the Incidence of Human Cancers DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98259*
