Risk Factors for Cancer

It's usually impossible to pinpoint the reason why one person is diagnosed with cancer while other people don't. However, research has revealed the presence of certain risks could increase the chances of getting cancer. (There are other factors which are associated with lower risks of getting cancer. These are sometimes referred to as risk factors, or simply protection factors.)

Risk factors for cancer include exposure to chemical substances or other substances and certain behavior patterns. These include factors that you cannot control, such as the aging process and the family history. The presence of a family history of cancers could be a sign of potential inherited cancer syndrome. (See this section on hereditary cancer syndromes page for more details on genetic mutations that are passed down through generations which can lead to cancer.)

The majority of cancer-related risk (and protection) factors are first discovered in epidemiology studies. These studies examine large groups of individuals and then compare the people who develop cancer against those who do not. These studies might reveal that people who get cancer are more likely or more likely to behave in certain ways or expose themselves to specific substances than people who don't develop cancer.

These studies alone do not prove that a particular chemical or a behavior is responsible for cancer. As an example, the result could be the result of luck, or the real risk factor may be something different than the risk factor that is suspected. These kinds of discoveries often get noticed through the news media which can create false beliefs about the way cancer develops and grows. (See the Myths about Cancer and misconceptions page for more details.)

Numerous studies have all pointed to a similar connection between a risk factor and a higher likelihood of getting cancer, and if there is a possibility that a mechanism could help explain why the risk factor might be the cause of cancer, researchers are more certain regarding the connection with the risk factor and cancer.

The following list contains the most researched and suspected cancer risk factors. Although certain risks can be avoided certain risk factors, like aging, can't be. Reducing your exposure to preventable risk factors can reduce the risk of developing certain cancers.

.Age

.Alcohol

.Substances with a Cancer-causing Effect

.Chronic Inflammation

.Diet

.Hormones

.Immunosuppressant

.Viral Agents

.Obesity

.Radiation

.Sunlight

.Tobacco