Understanding what causes cancer

Top Risk Factors And Their Associated Cancers

1. SMOKING

21 cancers

They include: bladder, cervix, bowel, hypopharynx, kidney, larynx, liver, lung, myeloid leukaemia, nasal cavity and accessory sinuses, nasopharynx, oesophagus, oral cavity, oropharynx, ovary, pancreas, pharynx, stomach, ureter

2. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES

19 cancers

They include: bladder, bone, breast, colon and rectum, kidney, larynx and hypopharynx, leukaemia, liver, lung, lymphoma, mesothelium, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oesophagus, oral cavity, ovary, skin, stomach, thyroid

3. EXCESS FAT & PHYSICAL INACTIVITY

13 cancers

They include: breast, colon and rectum, endometrium, gallbladder, gastric cardia, kidney, liver, meningioma, multiple myeloma, oesophagus, ovary, pancreas, thyroid

4. FAMILY HISTORY/GENETIC

12 cancers

They include: bladder, breast, colon and rectum, gallbladder, leukaemia, lymphoma, ovary, pancreas, prostate, stomach, testis, thyroid

5. INFECTIONS

12 cancers

They include: anogenital, bladder, cervix, kaposi sarcoma, larynx, leukaemia, liver, lymphoma, nasopharynx and oropharynx, oral cavity, stomach, tongue

6. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

10 cancers

They include: breast (females), colon and rectum, larynx and hypopharynx, liver, lung, oesophagus, oral cavity, pancreas, pharynx, stomach

7. REPRODUCTIVE/HORMONAL

3 cancers

They include: breast, endometrium, ovary

8. DIET

3 cancers

They include: colon, oesophagus, stomach

9. SUN EXPOSURE

2 cancers

They include: melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer