A
risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. Risk factors
for a certain type of cancer might include smoking, diet, family history, or many other
things. The exact cause of someone’s cancer may not be known. But risk factors can make
it more likely for a person to have cancer.
Things you should know about risk factors for cancer:
-
Risk factors can increase a person's risk, but
they don't necessarily cause the disease.
-
Some people with 1 or more risk factors never
develop cancer. Other people can develop cancer and have no risk factors.
-
Some risk factors are very well known. But there
is ongoing research about risk factors for many types of cancer.
Some
risk factors, such as family history, may not be in your control. But others may be
things you can change. Knowing the risk factors can help you make choices that might
lower your risk. For example, if an unhealthy diet is a risk factor, you may choose to
eat healthy foods. If excess weight is a risk factor, your healthcare provider may check
your weight or help you lose weight.