Risk Factors
A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. General risk factors for cancer include:
- A personal and/or family history of cancer
- Older age
- Smoking
- Over exposure to sun
- Some types of viral infections (such as human papillomavirus or HPV)
- Specific chemicals (such as benzene)
- Exposure to radiation
Although risk factors, such as smoking or a family history of cancer, can influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices.
Understanding your risk for cancer is important because it can help your doctor determine whether you could benefit from additional care, such as:
- Receiving a cancer screening test
- Receiving a screening test at an earlier age and/or more often than the general population
Having another intervention, such as surgery or medication to lower your cancer risk