Cancer can affect anyone, but understanding what can cause cancer and the factors that increase your risk can help you take steps to protect your health and reduce your cancer risk.<\/p>\n
Cancer happens when abnormal or damaged cells grow uncontrollably and interfere with healthy cells.<\/p>\n
\u201cCancer cells are the exact opposite of healthy. They\u2019re not normal and typically result from a variety of factors,\u201d said\u00a0Jomel Labayog, MD,<\/a>\u00a0a hematologist and medical oncologist at OSF HealthCare.<\/p>\n But how do you get cancer? Often, cancer doesn\u2019t have a single cause. Your chances of getting cancer depend on several risk factors, like age, genetics and lifestyle.<\/p>\n \u201cSome factors are beyond our control, and others can take years before the cells malfunction,\u201d Dr. Labayog said.<\/p>\n There isn\u2019t just one single cause of cancer, but there are primary risk factors for developing cancer that research has consistently linked to the disease. There are some primary risk factors that you can control and some that you can\u2019t control.<\/p>\n As we get older, our risk for cancer increases. That\u2019s because our cells constantly divide and repair, and over a lifetime, damage from aging, environment and lifestyle choices can build up.<\/p>\n \u201cJust about every cell in our body is replaced every seven to 10 years. Our bodies contain roughly 37.2 trillion cells,\u201d Dr. Labayog said. \u201cThe longer we\u2019re alive, the more chance our dividing cells may malfunction, especially when exposed to years of carcinogens and bad lifestyle choices.\u201d Genetics and family history [H3]<\/p>\n Some people inherit genes that increase their likelihood of cancer. If your family has a history of cancer, you may have a higher risk \u2013 but that also means you can benefit from genetic testing and early screening<\/a>, which can catch cancer early when it\u2019s most treatable. Different cancer screenings are recommended for men, depending on their age and health history<\/a>, and for women, depending on their unique health risks<\/a>.<\/p>\n Many cancers are linked to diet and lifestyle choices. In fact, experts believe a significant percentage of cancers are preventable<\/a>. In fact, experts believe a significant percentage of cancers are preventable if you make appropriate changes and maintain healthy habits.<\/p>\n Tobacco remains one of the most dangerous risk factors for cancer. Cigarettes contain at least 70 known carcinogens, substances that cause cancer, while chewing tobacco contains at least 25 known carcinogens.<\/p>\n Quitting cigarettes, tobacco use or other smoking products<\/a> is the single most effective way to cut your cancer risk.<\/p>\n But what about vaping? While research is still emerging, experts know that nicotine and many of the e-liquids used in vaping contain chemicals \u2013 like formaldehyde and acrolein, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds \u2013 linked to cancer. Because these substances are inhaled directly into the lungs, vaping may increase the risk of developing lung disease or cancer over time.<\/p>\n When your body breaks down alcohol, it produces acetaldehyde, a chemical that damages DNA and makes it harder for your body to repair itself. The more you drink, the higher your risk of cancer. Drinking too much alcohol<\/a> also increases your risk of developing cirrhosis, which can lead to liver cancer.<\/p>\n According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity is linked to at least 13 types of cancer<\/a>, accounting for about 40% of cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Excess fat also stores toxins, which makes it harder for your body to \u201cclean house.\u201d<\/p>\n Regular activity and maintaining a healthy weight strengthen your immune system, lower stress and help prevent disease.<\/p>\n What you eat plays a big role in what can cause cancer. Diets high in processed foods \u2013 like sugary cereals, chips and frozen meals \u2013 and processed meats, such as hot dogs, bacon and deli meats, have been shown to increase cancer risk. These foods often contain preservatives, nitrates or added refined sugars that can fuel cancer development.<\/p>\n Instead of reaching for sugary or overly processed foods,\u00a0aim for whole, unprocessed foods<\/a> with plenty of fiber from fruits, vegetables and whole grains.<\/p>\n Radiation can damage or change the DNA inside your cells. This includes UV radiation from the sun, some medical imaging procedures, and environmental exposures, like radon and power plants. Protect your skin with sunscreen, protective clothing and avoiding unnecessary radiation, like duplicate imaging tests or unnecessary or minor X-rays.<\/p>\n While you may have wondered if the radiation in cell phones can cause cancer or increase your risk of getting certain types of cancer, no clear evidence shows that mobile phone use increases cancer risk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Industrial solvents, weed killers and other carcinogenic chemicals can cause cancer. They usually enter the body through the skin or lungs. \u00a0Always follow the directions on the packaging, including recommended protective equipment, and reduce your exposure whenever possible.<\/p>\n Certain viruses, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B, can cause cancer by inserting their DNA or RNA into your cells and changing how they function. HPV, for example, is strongly linked to cervical and throat cancers, while hepatitis B can cause liver cancer.<\/p>\n Vaccinations and preventive screenings can lower these risks. Talk to your primary care provider about how to reduce your risk. Some vaccines can be safely given to children as young as 9 to help prevent your kids’ risk of certain cancers in the future.<\/p>\n According to the American Cancer Society<\/a>, in the U.S., nearly nine out of 10 cancer diagnoses occur in people 50 and older, and almost six in 10 in those 65 and older. Over a lifetime, about 40% of men and 39% of women in the U.S. will face a cancer diagnosis. While those odds may sound concerning, remember: Many cancers are preventable, treatable and even curable when caught early.<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you know what to screen for?<\/p>\n Find out what screenings to get<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n While not all cancer is preventable, you can take meaningful steps to protect yourself:<\/p>\n Cancer can affect anyone, but understanding what can cause cancer and the factors that increase your risk can help you take steps to protect your health and reduce your cancer risk. How You Get Cancer Cancer happens when abnormal or damaged cells grow uncontrollably and interfere with healthy cells. \u201cCancer cells are the exact opposite […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":122,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"yes","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[101,129,735],"tags":[],"coauthors":[1051],"class_list":["post-19506","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cancer","category-miscellaneous","category-preventive-health"],"yoast_head":"\nIs there a primary risk factor for developing cancer?<\/h2>\n
Risk Factors in Your Control<\/h2>\n
Age<\/h3>\n
Risk Factors Out of Your Control<\/h3>\n
Tobacco and Vaping<\/h3>\n
Alcohol<\/h3>\n
Obesity and Lack of Physical Activity<\/h3>\n
Diet: Processed Foods<\/h3>\n
Radiation Exposure<\/h3>\n
Chemicals and Carcinogens<\/h3>\n
Viral Infections<\/h3>\n
What are the chances of getting cancer?<\/h2>\n
How to reduce cancer risk<\/h2>\n
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