Types of Cancer and Associated Risk Factors

Breast Cancer

• Age – most cases occur in women age 50 or older
• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer before menopause (mother, sister or daughter)
• Abnormal breast biopsy results
• Lobular or ductal carcinoma in situ or atypical hyperplasia
• First period before age 12
• Menopause after age 55
• Never being pregnant or having your first child after age 30
• Higher education and socioeconomic status
• Women in this group tend to have fewer children
• Obesity or weight gain after menopause
• Hormonal therapy
• Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
• Suspected risk factors include: High-fat diet, Physical inactivity, more than one alcoholic drink per day, oral contraceptives

Cervical Cancer

• First intercourse at an early age
• Multiple sex partners (either of the woman or her partner)
• Cigarette smoking
• Race – more cases occur in African American, Hispanic and American Indian women
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection
• Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth
• HIV infection
• Weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy or chronic steroid use

Colorectal Cancer

• Age – most common in people over age 50
• Personal or family history of colorectal cancer (especially a parent or sibling)
• Personal or family history of adenomatous polyps (especially a parent or sibling)
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Diet high in fat (especially in red meat)
• Diet low in fiber, fruits and vegetables
• Physical inactivity
• Cigarette smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Obesity

Endometrial Cancer (also called Uterine Cancer)

• Increasing age
• Increased estrogen exposure
• First period before age 12
• Menopause after age 55
• Hormonal therapy without the use of progestin
• Never being pregnant
• History of infertility
• Personal history of hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer
• Obesity
• Use of tamoxifen

Lung Cancer

• Cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking
• Personal or family history of lung cancer
• Lung diseases such as tuberculosis (TB)
• Recurring exposure to:
• Radon or asbestos (especially for smokers)
• Radiation
• Arsenic
• Air pollution
• Secondhand smoke
  

Ovarian Cancer

• Age – most common in people over age 50
• Family history of ovarian (mother, daughter, sister, grandmother or aunt)
• Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
• Northern European and or Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
• Never being pregnant
• Suspected risk factors include:
• Fertility drugs
• Exposure to talcum powder
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Obesity

Prostate Cancer

• Age – men 50 and older are at greater risk
• Family history of prostate cancer (especially father, brother or son)
• Race – African American men have nearly twice the incidence of white men
• Diet high in saturated fat and low in fruits and vegetables

Skin Cancer

• Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds
• Fair complexion 
• Family history, especially of melanoma
• Living in the southern states or near the “Sun Belt”
• Living in a sunny climate
• Occupational exposure to:
• Coal tar
• Pitch
• Creosote
• Arsenic
• Radium