Health Topics for Cancer

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center

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Cancer Care of Iowa City

Risk factors for cancer

All cancers have causes or risk factors associated with them. There are environmental and lifestyle risk factors. Environmental risk factors come from exposures in the community or workplace. Lifestyle risk factors come from lifestyle choices such as smoking and diet.

There are 9 major factors that cause different types of cancer. They are:

• tobacco
• alcohol (especially when combined with tobacco)
• diet
• some bacterial infections
• sun exposure
• occupation (if exposed to radiation, asbestos, silicon, dusts, etc.)
• medication (radiation and/or drugs for one cancer can cause later cancers)
• genetics (related to family history) and
• some viral infections

Exposure to proven risk factors does not necessarily mean that a person will get cancer. Reducing the exposure to the risk factors reduces the chances of getting cancer. Also, there are substances called inhibitors (such as some vitamins) that can interfere with the activity of a carcinogen. Reducing or eliminating unhealthy exposures, and use of these inhibitors is called cancer prevention.

Another way to prevent cancer is to have regular medical checkups. If you have a high-risk job or lifestyle, talk with your healthcare provider for advice on how to make simple lifestyle changes. Take safety precautions in order to reduce your risk of developing cancer.

Consult the UI Health Care Cancer Information Service for more information about this topic.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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