Cancer Associated

Risk Factors
Factors for cancer development
• Age
• Alcohol
• Cancer-Causing Substances
• Chronic Inflammation
• Diet
• Hormones
• Immunosuppression
• Infectious Agents
• Obesity
• Radiation
 Age and Cancer Risk
• Advancing age is the most important risk factor for cancer overall and
for many individual cancer types.

➢ 25 cases per 100,000 people in age groups under age 20,

➢ 350 per 100,000 people among those aged 45–49,

➢ 1,000 per 100,000 people in age groups 60 years and older.

➢ As per the statistical data from NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology,
and End Results (SEER) Program, the median age of a cancer
diagnosis is 66 years.

➢ 62 years for breast cancer,

➢ 67 years for colorectal cancer,

➢ 71 years for lung cancer, and

➢ 66 years for prostate cancer.

Alcohol
➢ Drinking alcohol can increase risk of cancer of the mouth,

throat, esophagus, larynx (voice box), liver, and breast.

➢ It has been suggested that certain substances in red wine,

such as resveratrol, have anticancer properties.

Alcohol

• The federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans

defines moderate alcohol drinking as up to one drink per day for
women and up to two drinks per day for men.
Alcohol

• Acetaldehyde formation: When we consume alcohol, our bodies

metabolize it into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that can cause
damage to DNA and proteins.

• Oxidative stress: Alcohol consumption can lead to an increase in

oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an
imbalance between free radicals (unstable molecules) and antioxidants
(molecules that neutralize free radicals).
Alcohol

• Impaired nutrient absorption: Alcohol can interfere with the

absorption of essential nutrients, such as folate and vitamin B12,
which are important for maintaining DNA integrity and preventing
cancer.

• Hormonal changes: Alcohol consumption can disrupt hormonal

balance in the body, particularly affecting hormones such as estrogen.
This disruption may increase the risk of hormone-related cancers, such
as breast and prostate cancer.
Alcohol
• Increased cell proliferation: Alcohol may promote the growth and
proliferation of cancer cells, increasing the likelihood of tumor
development and progression.

• Weakened immune system: Chronic alcohol consumption can

suppress the immune system, reducing the body's ability to detect and
eliminate cancer cells.
Cancer-Causing Substances in the
Environment

Air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat,

➢ People can avoid some cancer-causing exposures, such as tobacco
smoke and the sun’s rays.

➢ Scientists are studying which exposures may cause or contribute to

the development of cancer. Understanding which exposures are
harmful, and where they are found, may help people to avoid
them.
The substances listed below are among the most likely carcinogens to
affect human health, according to the National Toxicology Program's
14th Report on Carcinogens

• Aflatoxins • Coke-Oven Emissions

• Aristolochic Acids • Crystalline Silica
(respirable size)
• Arsenic
• Erionite
• Asbestos
• Ethylene Oxide
• Benzene
• Formaldehyde
• Benzidine
• Hexavalent Chromium
• Beryllium Compounds
• 1,3-Butadiene • Indoor Emissions from
• Cadmium the Household
• Coal Tar and Coal-Tar Combustion of Coal
Chronic Inflammation
• Inflammation is a normal physiological response that causes injured
tissue to heal.

• An inflammatory process starts when chemicals are released by the

damaged tissue.

• In response, white blood cells make substances that cause cells to divide
and grow to rebuild tissue to help repair the injury.

• Once the wound is healed, the inflammatory process ends.

➢ Chronic inflammation may be caused by infections that don’t go
away, abnormal immune reactions to normal tissues, or conditions
such as obesity.

➢ Over time, chronic inflammation can cause DNA damage and lead to
cancer.

➢ For example, people with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such

as ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease, have an increased risk of colon
Chronic inflammation
• DNA Damage: Chronic inflammation can generate reactive oxygen
species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which are highly
reactive molecules capable of damaging DNA.

• Proliferation and Survival Signals: Inflammatory cells release

various signaling molecules, such as cytokines and growth factors,
which can stimulate cell proliferation and inhibit cell death.

This constant stimulation of cell growth and reduced cell death can lead
to the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells.
Chronic inflammation
• Tissue Damage and Regeneration: During chronic inflammation,
tissues may undergo repeated cycles of damage and repair. This
process can create an environment that promotes abnormal cell growth
and increases the likelihood of genetic mutations that drive cancer
development.

• Immune Suppression: Over time, chronic inflammation can suppress

the immune system, reducing its ability to detect and eliminate cancer
cells. A weakened immune response may allow cancer cells to evade
Chronic inflammation
• Angiogenesis: Chronic inflammation can stimulate the formation of
new blood vessels (angiogenesis) to supply nutrients and oxygen to
inflamed tissues. However, this process can also support the growth
and spread of cancer cells by providing them with the resources they
need to survive and proliferate.

• Tumor Microenvironment: Inflammation can alter the

microenvironment surrounding a tumor, creating conditions that
support cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis.
Diet
• Nutrients are associated with increases
or decreases in cancer risk.

• Studies of cancer cells in the laboratory

and of animal models have sometimes
provided evidence that isolated
compounds may be carcinogenic
Diet cause cancer
• Nutritional Deficiencies: A diet lacking in essential nutrients, such as
vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, can weaken the body's natural
defense mechanisms against cancer.

• Obesity: An unhealthy diet that is high in calories, unhealthy fats, and

added sugars can lead to weight gain and obesity. Obesity is associated
with an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast,
colorectal, pancreatic, and esophageal cancer, among others.
Diet cause cancer
• Inflammation: Diets high in processed foods, sugary beverages, and
unhealthy fats can promote chronic inflammation in the body. As
mentioned earlier, chronic inflammation can damage cells and increase
the risk of cancer development.

• Carcinogens: Certain dietary habits, such as consuming charred or

smoked meats, can expose the body to carcinogenic compounds,
increasing the risk of cancer in the gastrointestinal tract.
Diet cause cancer
• Hormonal Imbalance: An unhealthy diet can disrupt hormone levels
in the body, potentially increasing the risk of hormone-related cancers,
such as breast and prostate cancer.

• Insulin Resistance: A diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar can

lead to insulin resistance, which is associated with an increased risk of
several cancers, including endometrial and pancreatic cancer.
Diet cause cancer
• Imbalanced Gut Microbiota: Unhealthy diets lacking in fiber and
beneficial nutrients can negatively impact the gut microbiota,
potentially promoting inflammation and affecting the immune system's
ability to prevent cancer development.
Hormones
➢ Estrogens, a group of female sex hormones, are known human
carcinogens.

➢ Although these hormones have essential physiological roles in

both females and males, they have also been associated with an
increased risk of certain cancers.
Hormones
➢ For instance, taking combined menopausal hormone therapy
(estrogen plus progestin, which is a synthetic version of the female
hormone progesterone) can increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer.

➢ Menopausal hormone therapy with estrogen alone increases the risk

of endometrial cancer
➢ Being exposed for a long time and/or to high levels of these
hormones has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

➢ Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a form of estrogen that was given to some

pregnant women in the United States between 1940 and 1971 to
prevent miscarriages, premature labor, and related problems with
pregnancy.
• Women who took DES during pregnancy have an increased risk of
breast cancer.

• The possible effects on the sons and grandchildren of women who took
DES during pregnancy are being studied.
Hormone cause cancer
• Hormone Receptor Activation:

➢ Some cancers are hormone-sensitive, which means their growth is

influenced by the presence of specific hormones.

➢ Hormone-sensitive cancers often have receptors on their cell

surfaces or within the cells that can bind to certain hormones, such as
estrogen and progesterone in breast cancer or testosterone in prostate
cancer.

➢ When these hormones bind to their receptors, they can stimulate cell
Hormone cause cancer
• Hormone Production:
• In some cases, the cancer cells themselves can produce hormones.
• For instance, certain types of breast cancer cells can produce estrogen, leading
to a self-stimulating loop that fuels tumor growth.
Hormone cause cancer
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):

• Hormone replacement therapy, which is used to alleviate symptoms of

menopause in women, can involve the use of estrogen and
progesterone.

• Prolonged or excessive use of HRT, especially estrogen-progestin

combinations, has been associated with an increased risk of breast and
endometrial cancer.
Hormone cause cancer
• Androgens and Prostate Cancer:

• Androgens, such as testosterone, can influence the growth and

development of prostate cancer.

• Reducing androgen levels or blocking their actions is a common

approach in treating advanced prostate cancer.
Hormone cause cancer
• Hormones and Reproduction:

➢ Some cancers may be related to hormonal changes during the

reproductive period, such as ovarian and uterine cancers.

➢ The fluctuations in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle can

influence the risk of these cancers.
Hormone cause cancer
• Insulin and Insulin-like Growth Factors:

➢ Insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are hormones that

regulate blood sugar levels and promote cell growth.

➢ High insulin levels and insulin resistance have been associated with
an increased risk of certain cancers, such as breast, colon, and
pancreatic cancer.
Immunosuppression and Infectious agents
➢ Many people who receive organ transplants take medications to
suppress the immune system so the body won’t reject the organ.

➢ These "immunosuppressive" drugs make the immune system less

able to detect and destroy cancer cells or fight off infections that
cause cancer.
Immunosuppression
➢ Infection with HIV also weakens the immune system and increases

the risk of certain cancer

➢ Research has shown that transplant recipients are at increased risk of

a large number of different cancers.

• The four most common cancers among transplant recipients and that

occur more commonly in these individuals than in the general

population are;

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

• Cancers of the lung, kidney, and liver.

• NHL can be caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and liver

cancer by chronic infection with the hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis

C (HCV) viruses.

• Lung and kidney cancers are not generally thought to be associated

with infection.
• People with HIV/AIDS also have increased risks of cancers that are
caused by infectious agents, such as EBV; human herpesvirus 8, or
Kaposi sarcoma-associated virus;

• HBV and HCV, which cause liver cancer;

• Human papillomavirus, which causes cervical, anal, oropharyngeal,

and other cancers.
Infectious Agents

• Certain infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites,

can cause cancer or increase the risk that cancer will form.

• Some viruses can disrupt signaling that normally keeps cell growth

and proliferation in check.

Infectious Agents

➢ Also, some infections weaken the immune system, making the body

less able to fight off other cancer-causing infections.

➢ Some viruses, bacteria, and parasites also cause chronic

inflammation, which may lead to cancer

Obesity

• People with obesity may have an increased risk of several types of

cancer, including cancers of

• Breast (in women who have been through menopause),

• Colon, rectum, endometrium (lining of the uterus), esophagus,

kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Obesity

• Equally, eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and keeping a

healthy weight may help reduce risk of some cancers.

• These healthy behaviors are also important to lessen the risk of other

illnesses, such as heart disease, type II diabetes, and high blood

pressure.
Obesity
• The cancers most strongly associated with obesity include:

➢ Breast cancer (especially after menopause)

➢ Colorectal cancer
➢ Endometrial cancer
➢ Kidney cancer
➢ Esophageal cancer
➢ Pancreatic cancer
➢ Gallbladder cancer
Obesity
• Chronic Inflammation:
➢ Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation in the body.
➢ This chronic inflammation can promote the development and progression of
cancer by damaging cells and tissues and creating an environment conducive
to cancer growth.

➢ Growth Factors:
➢ Obesity can affect the levels of various growth factors, such as insulin-like
growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which play a role in cell growth and proliferation.

➢ Elevated levels of these growth factors can stimulate the growth of cancer
Obesity
• Insulin Resistance and Hyperinsulinemia:

• Obesity can lead to insulin resistance, a condition in which cells

become less responsive to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood
sugar levels.

• As a compensatory response, the body produces more insulin, leading

to hyperinsulinemia (high insulin levels).
Obesity
• Hormone Imbalance:

• Adipose tissue (fat) produces hormones called adipokines, which can

influence hormone levels in the body.

• In obesity, there may be imbalances in these hormones, such as

increased estrogen levels, which can promote the development of
hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and endometrial cancer.
Obesity
• Altered Immune Function:

• Obesity can negatively impact the immune system's function,

potentially reducing the body's ability to detect and eliminate cancer
cells.

• Changes in Gut Microbiota:

• Obesity can lead to alterations in the gut microbiota, the community of

microorganisms in the digestive system. These changes may affect
inflammation and metabolism, which could influence cancer risk.
Radiation
➢ Radiation of certain wavelengths, called ionizing radiation, has

enough energy to damage DNA and cause cancer. Ionizing radiation

includes radon, x-rays, gamma rays, and other forms of high-energy

radiation.

➢ Lower-energy, non-ionizing forms of radiation, such as visible light

and the energy from cell phones, have not been found to cause cancer
➢ Radon is a radioactive gas given off by rocks and soil.

➢ Radon is formed when the radioactive element radium breaks

down.

➢ Radium in turn is formed when the radioactive elements uranium

and thorium break down.

➢ People who are exposed to high levels of radon have an increased

risk of lung cancer.

• High-energy radiation, caused DNA damage such as

➢ X-Rays

➢ γ-Ray

➢ α-particles

➢ β-particles

➢ Neutrons
• Certain medical procedures, such as chest x-rays, computed

tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET)

scans, and radiation therapy can also cause cell damage that leads to

cancer.

• However, the risks of cancer from these medical procedures are very

small, and the benefit from having them is almost always greater than
Sunlight
• The sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths all give off ultraviolet (UV)

radiation.

• Exposure to UV radiation causes early aging of the skin and damage

that can lead to skin cancer.

Sunlight
• Keep in mind that UV radiation is reflected by sand, water, snow, and
ice and can go through windshields and windows.

• Even though skin cancer is more common among people with a light
skin tone, people of all skin tones can develop skin cancer, including
those with dark skin.
Tobacco

• Tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer and of death from cancer.

• tobacco products and second hand smoke have many chemicals that

damage DNA, which increased risk of cancer because

Tobacco
Tobacco use causes many types of cancer;

• Mouth,
• Larynx (voice box),
• Esophagus,
• Throat,
• lung, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas, colon and rectum, and
cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.