Risk Factors for Cancer

Tobacco is the leading preventable risk factor for cancer. It is primarily associated with lung cancer, but it also increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix, and certain blood cancers, that is, cancers of the blood cells.^⁵ The risk depends on the duration of smoking, the amount smoked, and the age at which smoking began.

You can take action: 

Quit smoking.

Support from a healthcare professional is available.

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of several cancers, including cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon and rectum, and breast6. No level of alcohol consumption can be considered risk-free with regard to cancer. When combined with tobacco, alcohol significantly increases the risk of cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract—that is, the organs involved in the passage of air and food.

You can take action: 

Reduce your alcohol consumption. 

If you’re having trouble cutting back or quitting, a healthcare professional can help you. 

Diet may play a role in the risk of certain cancers. The evidence is particularly strong for processed meats, such as deli meats, which are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Red meat is also considered to be probably associated with this risk when consumed in excess.⁷

A diet that is too high in calories and low in fiber can promote weight gain. Being overweight or obese is associated with a higher risk of several cancers, including postmenopausal breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and esophageal cancer⁸.

Here’s what you can do: 

Eat a varied diet rich in fiber and plant-based foods. 

Limit red meat and processed meats. 

Engage in regular physical activity. 

Reduce sedentary behavior. 

Ultraviolet (UV) rays come from the sun and tanning beds. They can cause DNA damage in skin cells. Excessive exposure, especially when intense or repeated, increases the risk of skin cancers, particularly carcinomas and melanoma. Tanning beds expose users to artificial UV radiation classified as carcinogenic to humans.9

Here’s what you can do: 

Reduce exposure: seek shade, wear protective clothing. 

Use appropriate sunscreen.

Avoid using tanning beds.

Certain viruses or bacteria can contribute to the development of cancer. HPV (human papillomavirus) is implicated in cervical cancer and in some cases of anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancer. Hepatitis B and C viruses increase the risk of liver cancer, while Helicobacter pylori is associated with certain types of stomach cancer.¹⁰

You can take action: 

Get vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B. 

Participate in screening (cervical cancer). 

Treat infections. 

Other exposures can contribute to cancer risk: air pollution, radon, asbestos, ionizing radiation, pesticides, or certain chemicals encountered in the workplace.⁴ The level of risk varies depending on the nature of the exposure, its intensity, its duration, and the individual’s circumstances.

You can take action: 

Follow collective or individual protective measures.

Consult your primary care physician or an occupational health physician to assess your risk. 

Age is one of the main risk factors for cancer. Over time, cells can accumulate DNA changes, which partly explains why many cancers are more common after age 60.¹

You can take action: 

Follow the recommended screening guidelines for your age group. 

Adjust your medical monitoring to your age.

Some people have a hereditary predisposition to cancer, linked to a genetic variation present from birth. This is the case, for example, with certain mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are associated with a higher risk of breast, ovarian, prostate, or pancreatic cancer.¹¹

You can take action: 

If your personal or family history suggests it, request a genetic counseling consultation.