A risk factor is something that gives you a higher chance (risk) of getting a certain disease.
If you have a risk factor for cancer, it means you're more likely than the average person to get cancer
However, having a certain risk factor doesn’t mean that you'll get cancer
Risk factors for cancer include:
Having certain genes (traits you inherit from your parents and grandparents)
Being around certain chemicals at work or in the environment
Eating or drinking certain things
Being exposed to radiation
Having certain infections
Carcinogens Development and Spread of Cancer Cancer starts when a healthy cell changes. This change can happen: Without any known cause Because you were exposed to a carcinogen A carcinogen is a substance that can cause cancer. Some carcinogens... read more are things that sometimes cause cancer. Usually, your risk of cancer is higher if you're exposed to more of a carcinogen or you're exposed for a longer time.
What are genetic risk factors for cancer?
Each of your body's cells contains genes. Genes are the instructions that tell each of your cells what to do. Genes tell cells when to grow, when to stop growing, and what substances to make. For example, certain genes tell cells in your stomach to make stomach acid.
Sometimes one of your genes can go bad in ways that make a cell turn cancerous. A gene can go bad if:
The gene was damaged by something you were exposed to (an environmental factor)
The gene was copied incorrectly during normal cell growth
Less likely, you inherited a cancer gene from one of your parents. Sometimes people in a family are more likely to have a certain cancer. A cancer-causing gene could run in that family. One cancer-causing gene called BRCA increases the risk of breast cancer Breast Cancer Cancer is when cells grow abnormally. Cancer cells don't look or work like normal cells and keep multiplying out of control. Cancer cells can invade and destroy nearby healthy tissue. Sometimes... read more .
What are environmental risk factors for cancer?
Being around certain things can raise your chances of cancer, including:
Tobacco smoke: Lung Lung Cancer Lung cancer is cancer that starts in your lungs. Cancers that start growing in other organs may spread (metastasize) to the lungs. Cancers that have spread to your lungs aren't really considered... read more , mouth Mouth and Throat Cancer Mouth and throat cancer is cancer that starts in or around your mouth or throat. It could affect your lips, tongue, tonsils, the roof of your mouth, inside your cheeks, or the back of the throat... read more , throat Mouth and Throat Cancer Mouth and throat cancer is cancer that starts in or around your mouth or throat. It could affect your lips, tongue, tonsils, the roof of your mouth, inside your cheeks, or the back of the throat... read more , esophagus Esophageal Cancer The esophagus is the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. Cancer is the out-of-control growth of cells in your body. Cells are the tiny building blocks of your body. Cells specialize... read more , kidney Kidney Cancer Cancer is the out-of-control growth of cells in your body. Cells are the tiny building blocks of your body. Cells specialize in what they do. Different organs are made of different kinds of... read more , and bladder Bladder Cancer Cancer is the out-of-control growth of cells in your body. Cells are the tiny building blocks of your body. Cells specialize in what they do. Different organs are made of different kinds of... read more cancers
Asbestos (a mineral fiber used for insulation and other building materials): Lung cancer Lung Cancer Lung cancer is cancer that starts in your lungs. Cancers that start growing in other organs may spread (metastasize) to the lungs. Cancers that have spread to your lungs aren't really considered... read more and mesothelioma (cancer in the tissues that line your lungs)
Sunlight: Skin cancer Skin Cancers
Radon (a radioactive gas that comes from the ground and can build up to harmful levels in basements): Lung cancer Lung Cancer Lung cancer is cancer that starts in your lungs. Cancers that start growing in other organs may spread (metastasize) to the lungs. Cancers that have spread to your lungs aren't really considered... read more
Some chemicals used at work (such as benzene, chromates, nickel, certain pesticides, and vinyl chloride) can cause cancer.
Geography (where you live) can affect your chances of getting cancer. One reason is that people in different areas may be exposed to different amounts of carcinogens. Another reason is that people in different areas may have different genetic risk factors.
What are other risk factors for cancer?
Your age:
More than half of cancers happen in people older than 65 because older people have been exposed longer to carcinogens (things that can cause cancer)
Diet:
A high-fat diet: Colon Colon Cancer Your colon is your large intestine. Your rectum is a pouch at the end of your colon where stool is stored until you pass it. Cancer is the out-of-control growth of cells in your body. Cells... read more , breast Breast Cancer Cancer is when cells grow abnormally. Cancer cells don't look or work like normal cells and keep multiplying out of control. Cancer cells can invade and destroy nearby healthy tissue. Sometimes... read more , and maybe prostate cancer Prostate Cancer Cancer is the out-of-control growth of cells in your body. Cells are the tiny building blocks of your body. Cells specialize in what they do. Different organs are made of different kinds of... read more
Just being overweight or obese can raise your risk of breast, uterus, colon, kidney, and esophagus cancer.
Certain medicines:
Some drugs to treat cancer actually increase your risk of developing another cancer later on
Radiation exposure, either on purpose for medical reasons or accidentally:
Accidental exposure to radioactive material or nuclear radiation from a power plant accident
Infections with certain viruses and bacteria:
Hepatitis B and C virus Overview of Hepatitis Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. (See also Overview of Acute Viral Hepatitis and Overview of Chronic Hepatitis.) Hepatitis is common throughout the world. Hepatitis can be Acute (short-lived) read more : Liver cancer Liver Cancer Your liver is a football-sized organ on the right side of your belly, just below your ribs. It helps you digest food and makes substances that help your body work. There are 2 kinds of liver... read more
Human papillomavirus (HPV Genital Warts HPV is a virus that causes warts. There are many types of HPV. Some types of HPV cause warts on your skin Other types of HPV cause warts on your genitals (genital warts) Some of the types of... read more ): Cancer of cervix Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of (opening to) your uterus (womb). It connects your uterus with your vagina. Cervical cancer is usually caused by HPV ... read more , anus Anal Cancer Risk factors for anal cancer include certain sexually transmitted infections. Bleeding with bowel movements, pain, and sometimes itching around the anus are typical symptoms. A manual examination... read more , throat Mouth and Throat Cancer Mouth and throat cancer is cancer that starts in or around your mouth or throat. It could affect your lips, tongue, tonsils, the roof of your mouth, inside your cheeks, or the back of the throat... read more
Inflammatory disorders (long-term inflammation of certain organs) may increase risk of cancer:
Ulcerative colitis Ulcerative Colitis Your digestive tract is the path that food takes through your body after you eat it. Food goes from your mouth (eating) to your anus (passing stool). Your intestine is the long tube in your... read more and Crohn disease Crohn Disease Your digestive tract is the path that food takes through your body after you eat it. Food goes from your mouth (eating) to your anus (passing stool). Your intestine is the long tube in your... read more : Cancer of intestines
