Risk factors of Cancers and Tumors

There are many risk factors of cancers and tumors. Factors known to increase your risk of cancer include:

Age

Advancing age is the most important risk factor for cancer. The median age of a cancer diagnosis is 66 years. But the disease can occur at any age.

Family History

If cancer is common in your family, it’s possible that mutations are being passed from one generation to the next.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can increase risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx (voice box), liver, and breast. The more one drinks, the higher is the risk. This is even more if combined with tobacco.

Toxins and other substances

The substances listed below are among the most likely to cause cancer. Many factors influence including the amount and duration of the exposure and the individual’s genetic background. Some are:

1,3-Butadiene

Aflatoxins

Arsenic

Asbestos

Benzene

Benzidine

Beryllium

Cadmium

Coal Tar and Coal-Tar Pitch

Combustion of Coal

Crystalline Silica

Ethylene Oxide

Formaldehyde

Hexavalent Chromium Compounds

Nickel Compounds

Radon

Soot

Thorium

Tobacco Smoke

Untreated Mineral Oils

Vinyl Chloride

Wood Dust 

Inflammation

Over time, chronic inflammation can cause DNA damage and lead to cancer. For example chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease, have an increased risk of colon cancer. 

Diet

Scientists have studied many additives, nutrients, and other dietary components for possible associations with cancer risk. These include:

Alcohol

Artificial sweeteners

Charred meat

Chemical additives in food

Hormones

Estrogens, a group of female sex hormones, are known human carcinogens. Hormone therapy can increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer.

Immunosuppression

Many people receive medications to suppress the immune system. These “immunosuppressive” drugs may cause cancer.

Infectious Agents

Certain infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, can cause cancer. Some said to be causing are:

Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs)

Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus (HBV and HCV)

HTLV-1 can cause a type of leukemia and lymphoma.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)

Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV)

Schistosoma hematobium

Opisthorchis viverrini

Obesity

People who are obese may have an increased risk of several types of cancer. These can be cancers of the breast, colon, rectum, endometrium (lining of the uterus), esophagus, kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Radiation

Radiation has enough energy to damage DNA and cause cancer. Some of radiations said to cause cancer are Radon and X-Rays.

Sunlight

The sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths all give off ultraviolet (UV) radiation and can cause cancer.

Tobacco

Tobacco, both smoking and chewing is a leading cause of cancer and of death from cancer.