Risk Factors for Cancer | Did You Know?

Summary

The National Cancer Institute's 'Did You Know?' video series highlights the significant role of age, lifestyle, environment, genetics, and family history as cancer risk factors. It emphasizes the impact of excess body weight, tobacco and alcohol consumption, occupational exposure to carcinogens, UV radiation, and certain viruses on increasing cancer risk. The video encourages maintaining a healthy weight, sun protection, avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol to reduce cancer risk, and suggests genetic testing for those concerned about inherited mutations.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Age is a major risk factor for cancer, with the median age at diagnosis being 66 years.
• 🏃‍♂️ Lifestyle factors, such as excess body weight, significantly contribute to cancer-related deaths, increasing the risk of various cancers.
• 🚭 Tobacco is a proven carcinogen, causing at least 30% of cancer deaths in the U.S., and is associated with lung, throat, stomach, and pancreatic cancers.
• 🍻 Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, liver, colon, and breast, with the risk heightened in those who also use tobacco.
• 🏭 Environmental and chemical carcinogens, found in certain industries, are responsible for up to 19% of cancer cases, leading to cancers like lung and bladder.
• 🌞 Exposure to natural and artificial UV rays from the sun or tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell skin cancers.
• 🦠 Certain viruses, such as HPV, Hepatitis B, and C, can increase cancer risk by damaging DNA, causing chronic inflammation, or weakening the immune system.
• 🧬 Inherited genetic mutations play a role in 5 to 10% of cancers, with specific mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes being well-known risk factors for breast and ovarian cancers.
• 🏥 Genetic testing can identify inherited mutations that increase cancer risk, and it's important to discuss this with a doctor if you suspect you may have inherited a mutation.
• 💪 To reduce overall cancer risk, maintain a healthy weight, protect your skin from the sun, avoid tobacco products, and limit alcohol intake.

Q & A

What are the primary factors that increase the likelihood of developing cancer?

The primary factors that increase the likelihood of developing cancer include a person’s age, lifestyle, environment, genetic makeup, and family history.

Why is advancing age considered the most important risk factor for cancer?

Advancing age is the most important risk factor for cancer because the median age at diagnosis for all cancers combined is 66 years, and one-fourth of new diagnoses are in people ages 65 to 74.

How does excess body weight contribute to cancer-related deaths in the U.S.?

Excess body weight contributes to one in five cancer-related deaths in the U.S., as obesity increases the risk of breast, colorectal, and other types of cancer.

What is a carcinogen and how does tobacco act as one?

A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer by damaging DNA. Tobacco is a proven carcinogen that can cause cancer through smoking cigarettes, cigars, or cigarillos, using snuff or chewing tobacco, or by inhaling secondhand smoke.

What is the impact of smoking on cancer deaths in the U.S.?

Smoking accounts for at least three out of ten cancer deaths in the U.S., and it is most famously associated with lung cancer but also causes throat, stomach, pancreatic, and many other cancers.

How does alcohol consumption affect the risk of developing cancer?

Drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, liver, colon, and breast. The more a person drinks, the higher the risk, and it is even higher for those who drink alcohol and also use tobacco.

What role do environmental and chemical carcinogens play in cancer cases?

Environmental and chemical carcinogens are responsible for up to 19 percent of cancer cases. Exposure to these substances in certain industries like mining, welding, agricultural, manufacturing, printing, or painting can lead to many types of cancer, including lung and bladder cancers and leukemia.

How do UV rays from the sun or tanning beds increase the risk of skin cancers?

Natural and artificial UV rays from the sun or tanning beds can increase the risk of developing skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell skin cancer, and squamous cell skin cancer.

Which viruses can increase the risk of cancer and how?

Some viruses such as Human Papillomaviruses, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and several others can increase the risk of cancer either by damaging DNA, causing chronic inflammation, or weakening the immune system.

What role do inherited genetic mutations play in cancer and how can they be identified?

Inherited genetic mutations play a major role in 5 to 10 percent of cancers. Certain mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are well-known risk factors in breast and ovarian cancers. Genetic tests can identify whether a person has one or more of the inherited mutations that are known to increase cancer risk.

What are some general recommendations to reduce overall cancer risk?

To reduce overall cancer risk, maintain a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise, protect your skin from the sun and avoid using tanning beds, don’t smoke or use other tobacco products, and limit alcohol intake.