Possible risk factors that increase an individual's chance of developing cancer include a combination of lifestyle, environmental, genetic, and biological factors: Lifestyle Factors:
- Tobacco use, including smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, is the leading cause of preventable cancer and cancer deaths, strongly linked to lung, mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, and several other cancers
- Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers such as liver, esophageal, colorectal, breast, and oral cancers
- Diets high in red and processed meats, saturated fats, and low in fruits and vegetables can raise cancer risk, particularly for pancreatic, bowel, stomach, and breast cancers
- Excess body weight and obesity are associated with higher risks of cancers of the uterus, liver, breast (postmenopausal), colon, kidney, esophagus, pancreas, thyroid, and gallbladder
- Physical inactivity independently increases the risk of some cancers and contributes to obesity-related cancer risks
- Excessive sun exposure and use of sunbeds increase the risk of skin cancers due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
Genetic and Family History:
- A family history of certain cancers may indicate inherited genetic mutations that increase cancer risk, although not everyone with such mutations will develop cancer
Age:
- Cancer risk increases with age due to the accumulation of risks and decreased effectiveness of cellular repair mechanisms over time
Exposure to Carcinogens:
- Physical carcinogens like ultraviolet and ionizing radiation.
- Chemical carcinogens such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, alcohol, aflatoxin, and arsenic.
- Biological carcinogens including infections by certain viruses (e.g., human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C viruses, Epstein-Barr virus), bacteria (e.g., Helicobacter pylori), or parasites
Chronic Inflammation and Immunosuppression:
- Chronic inflammation and weakened immune systems can increase cancer risk
In summary, modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, diet, obesity, physical inactivity, and UV exposure account for a significant proportion of cancer cases and deaths, while non-modifiable factors include age, genetics, and certain infections
. Reducing exposure to avoidable risks can lower the chance of developing many cancers.
