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

• Recurring exposure to:

• Radon or asbestos (especially for smokers)

• Radiation

• Arsenic

• Air pollution

• Secondhand smoke

• Lung diseases such as tuberculosis (TB)

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 new the “Sun Belt”

• Living in a sunny climate

• Occupational exposure to:

• Coal tar

• Pitch

• Creosote

• Arsenic

• Radium