CAUSATIVE FACTORS OF

CANCER
 Growing Older

• The most important risk factor for

cancer is growing older. Most cancer
occur in people over the ages of 65.
But people off all ages including
children can get cancer too.
 Tobacco
• Tobacco use is the most preventable
cause of death.
• Using tobacco products or regularly
being around tobacco smoke.
• Smokers are likely than nonsmokers
to develop cancer of the lung, larynx,
mouth, esophagus, bladder, kidney,
throat, stomach, pancreas, or cervix.
 Sunlight

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation comes from

the sun, sunlamps, and tanning
booths. It causes early aging of the
skin and skin damage that can lead
to skin cancer.
 Ionizing Radiation

• Ionizing radiation can cause cell

damage that leads to cancer.
• People exposed to radiation may
have an increased risk of cancer,
especially leukemia and cancer of
the thyroid, breast, lung, and
stomach.
 Viruses and Bacteria
• Human papillomavirus (HPV): main cause of
cervical cancer.
• Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C: It causes liver cancer.
• Human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus:
increases a person’s risk of lymphoma and
leukemia.
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): Virus that
causes AIDS.
• Epstein-Barr virus: Virus that causes lymphoma.
• Helicobacter pylori: This bacterium can cause
stomach ulcers. It also can cause stomach cancer
and lymphoma in the stomach lining.
 Family History of Cancer

• Most cancers develop because of

changes in genes.
• Some gene changes that increases
the risk of cancer are passed from
parent to child. These changes are
present at birth in all cells of the
body.
 Alcohol

• Having more than two drinks each

dayfor many years may increase the
chance of developing cancers of the
mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx,
liver, and breast.
 Poor Diet, Lack of Physical
Activity or Being Overweight
• People who have a poor diet, do not have
enough physical activity or are overweight
may be at increased several types of
cancer.
• People whose diet is high in fat have an
increased risk of cancers in colon, uterus,
and prostate.
• Lack of physical activity and being
overweight are risk factors for cancers of
breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, and
uterus.