Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, representing a significant public health burden. However, a large proportion of cancer cases are preventable. Understanding the risk factors associated with cancer development, adopting healthy lifestyles, and implementing effective prevention strategies are crucial steps to reduce the incidence of this devastating disease. This document explores these three fundamental pillars in detail in the fight against cancer.

Cancer Risk Factors
Cancer risk factors are elements or exposures that increase the probability that a person will develop cancer. It is important to highlight that having one or more risk factors does not guarantee cancer development but does increase susceptibility. These factors can be classified into several categories:

Modifiable Risk Factors (Lifestyle and Environmental):

  • Tobacco Use: Tobacco consumption is the leading preventable cause of cancer worldwide. It affects almost all organs of the body and is associated with lung, mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidney, liver, cervix, colon, and rectal cancers, among others. Both active smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke (passive smoking) are harmful.
  • Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol intake is associated with increased risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast, and colorectum. Alcohol can damage cellular DNA and increase hormone production that promotes tumor growth.
  • Obesity and Overweight: Excess body fat is linked to a higher risk of at least 13 types of cancer, including esophageal cancer, breast cancer (in postmenopausal women), colorectal, uterine, kidney, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, ovarian, thyroid cancers, and multiple myeloma. Obesity can influence hormone levels, chronic inflammation, and cell proliferation.
  • Inadequate Diet: A diet rich in processed red meats, saturated fats, added sugars, and low in fruits, vegetables, and fiber has been linked to a higher risk of several cancer types, especially colorectal cancer. High-temperature cooking methods that produce heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can also contribute to the risk.
  • Physical Inactivity: Lack of regular physical activity increases cancer risk, particularly colon, breast, and endometrial cancers. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, reduce inflammation, and improve immune function.
  • Exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: Excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds is the main cause of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Exposure to Chemical Agents and Environmental Pollutants: Occupational or environmental exposure to certain chemicals such as asbestos, benzene, arsenic, radon, and industrial chemicals can increase the risk of lung cancer, leukemia, and other cancer types. Outdoor air pollution has also been classified as carcinogenic.
  • Chronic Infections: Certain viruses and bacteria can increase cancer risk. Examples include:
    • Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Cervical, throat, and anal cancers.
    • Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) viruses: Liver cancer.
    • Helicobacter pylori: Stomach cancer and gastric lymphoma.
    • Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal cancer.
    • HIV: Kaposi’s sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors:

  • Age: The risk of most cancer types increases significantly with age, as cells accumulate damage over time.
  • Genetics and Family History: A small proportion of cancers (5-10%) are attributed to inherited genetic mutations that increase cancer risk. Examples include BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (breast and ovarian cancer) and Lynch syndrome (colorectal and other cancers). Having a family history of cancer may also indicate a genetic predisposition or shared exposure to risk factors.
  • Sex: Some cancers are more common in one sex than the other (e.g., prostate cancer in men, ovarian cancer in women) due to hormonal and anatomical differences.
  • Ethnicity: Certain ethnic groups may have a higher risk of specific cancers due to genetic, environmental, or socioeconomic factors.
  • Chronic Medical Conditions: Some chronic diseases can increase cancer risk, such as inflammatory bowel disease (colorectal cancer) or liver cirrhosis (liver cancer).