Understanding cancer and its risk factors

When we speak of risk, simply put, it is the probability that an event will happen. When talking about cancer, risk is most often used to describe the chance that a person will develop cancer or have a recurrence, that is, the cancer will occur again. Knowing about the risk factors for this disease not only helps you make more informed decisions about your health, but it also helps doctors who treat people with cancer improve the health of large numbers of people.{{more}}

For example, scientific studies have shown that people who smoke have a higher risk of lung cancer than people who do not smoke. This finding helped in starting a worldwide campaign to encourage people to quit smoking or not to start smoking, so as to decrease the chances of developing lung cancer.

Although risk factors, such as smoking or a family history of cancer often 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 develop the disease.

Generally you will hear physicians talking about modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. The modifiable risk factors are those that we have control over and can change or stop. These include smoking, inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, exposure to chemicals, etc. The non-modifiable risk factors include age, sex and your genetic make-up.

Knowing your risk factors, discussing them with your doctor, and having a detailed family history taken by your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices.

Understanding your risk for cancer is important because it can help you and your doctor decide whether you could benefit from receiving a cancer-screening test, such as a mammogram or a colonoscopy. Sometimes, you may need to get these screening tests at an earlier age or more often than the general population, depending on your risk or even having a specific intervention, such as surgery or medication, to lower your cancer risk.

An understanding of your risk and knowing about the risk factors can help you to make important lifestyle choices that can lead to a healthier life.