Research shows that certain risk factors can increase the chance that a person will develop cancer. The most common risk factors for cancer are: Many of these risk factors can be avoided. Others, such as family history, cannot be avoided. People can help protect themselves by staying away from known risk factors whenever possible. If you think you may be at risk for cancer, you should discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Colorectal cancer occurs in men and women of all racial and ethnic groups. Approximately 75% of colorectal cancers occur in people with no known risk factors. Other important facts about risk for colorectal cancer include: More than 90% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed in people aged 50 or older. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. A family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps may increase a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer.

A large proportion of cancers is life-style related. The chances of developing cancer depends upon choice of foods, smoking habits, drinking habits, personal hygiene standards and exposure to certain agents at workplace environment. (One should visit for medical counseling to a cancer specialist and identify whether one belongs to high risk group of people likely to suffer from cancer and get adequate investigations

There is strong scientific evidence that having regular screening tests for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50 reduces deaths from colorectal cancer. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon and rectum, and polyps can be removed before they turn into cancer. Studies have also shown that increased physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can decrease the risk for colorectal cancer.

Following a low fat diet, following good general health habits, and limiting alcohol consumption all help decrease the risk of breast cancer. There is also evidence that women who smoke are at increased risk. Fortunately, the same diet that is good for you in terms of heart disease is also good for preventing breast cancer.

However, there is circumstantial evidence that taking 5-ASA drugs drugs such as azulfidine [See Section 2.1.1] might reduce the risk of colon cancer also. Also there is some data that eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables (five servings a day) and low in red meat is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer in people without colitis. Regular exercise also seems to be associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer.

Women need to examine their breasts once a month, as well as get regular breast examinations, mammograms, and Pap smears Ask your doctor for other specific recommendations, particularly if you have a family history of cancer

Follow the testing guidelines set by the American Cancer Society. Testing can find precancerous polyps. Removing these polyps can prevent most colon cancers. Testing also can help detect colon cancer early, when the chances for successful treatment are greatest. Know your family history. If colon cancer runs in your family, you may need to be tested earlier and more often.

There are many breast cancer risk factors that cannot be controlled such as genetics, early menstruation and family history. Other aspects such diet, early child-bearing, and weight can be controlled to help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Women who maintain a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in polyunsaturated fats (such as corn oils, tub margarine) and saturated fats (such as those found in meats) may help lower their risk of the disease.

Little is known about the genes and molecular mechanism of prostate cancer. Men with a brother or father with prostate cancer have a 3-5 fold increased risk. It has few symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms occur they may include difficulties in urinating or pain and/or stiffness in the lower back and hips. However these symptoms are more commonly caused by other conditions, such as benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate or arthritis.

We are still investigating the causes of testicular cancer and do not know of any treatments that could prevent it. The most important thing is to check your testicles regularly to detect any changes in their shape or size. The most significant risk factor is undescended testis at birth with 10% of patients having a history of this condition.

Most people have about a six percent chance of developing colon cancer at some point in their lives. Some things, like a personal or family history of cancer, may increase your risk. Other things, like following colon cancer screening guidelines, decrease your risk.

Colorectal cancer affects an equal number of men and women. Colorectal Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The number of new cases and the number of deaths to colorectal cancer has been decreasing as preventative screening and colon health awareness has increased.

Parents, children or siblings of a person who has had colorectal cancer are somewhat more likely to develop this cancer themselves. This is especially true if the relative has the cancer at a young age. If more than one family member has had colorectal cancer, the chances increase even more.

You can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer by limiting your time in the sun during 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. When you are in the sun, make sure you use a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher with protection against UV-A and UV-B rays. Apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before going in the sun and reapply throughout the day. Remember to cover up and wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses.

As far as we know, the best answer is to eat healthy and stay active. Be informed about choices you make. Since the risk factors for breast cancer do not adequately describe the majority of the cases, we do not fully know the best steps for prevention. Based on the current research in breast cancer and health in general we recommend the following:

Unfortunately, no one has yet identified a specific diet that reduces risk or helps treat breast cancer - but not from a lack of trying. Many scientists do think weight and nutrition are linked to breast cancer though, and they trace that link back generations. Over the past several hundred years, our western world has shifted from an agrarian to an industrial base. Over that time, we”ve seen a change in women”s reproductive patterns.

Good general health habits certainly help. A low-fat diet, exercise, avoiding tobacco smoke and alcohol are all part of a healthy lifestyle and decrease risk slightly. Early pregnancy appears to decrease risk slightly. Women who are at high risk due to a family history, or due to a history of breast cancer of one breast (and therefore at risk to develop breast cancer in the other breast) may be candidates for "chemoprevention." This means taking a drug like Tamoxifen to decrease the risk.

Work exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, such as those used in leather, wood, rubber, and textile industries. Schistosomiasis, which is an infection with the parasite Schistosoma haematobium. This condition is sometimes found in developing countries and rarely occurs in the United States.

By far, smoking tobacco causes most lung cancers. Tobacco smoke has many carcinogens - substances that damage cells. The risk of lung cancer begins to slowly decrease as soon as a person quits smoking. Although smoking is without question the major cause of lung cancer, there are some other causes as well. Passive smoking is one. Exposure to other carcinogens, such as asbestos, is another. Tuberculosis (TB) can increase the risk.

The risk of a woman with LCIS developing invasive cancer is in the range 1-2% per year, thus the maximum risk after 10 years of follow-up would be 20%. This risk is increased in the presence of other risk factors such as family history of breast cancer.

You can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease and having a heart attack by avoiding smoking, taking regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity 5 times a week), eating a balanced diet which is rich in fruit and vegetables and low in salt and saturated fat.

If you have osteoporosis or are at high risk for breast cancer, EVISTA can be used to lower your chance of getting invasive breast cancer. EVISTA will not totally get rid of your chance of getting invasive breast cancer. Your doctor can estimate your risk of invasive breast cancer by asking you about risk factors. You and your doctor should talk about whether the possible benefit of EVISTA in lowering your chance of getting invasive breast cancer is greater than its possible risks.

Women who have never given birth are at slightly increased risk than women who have given birth, particularly those who have had a pregnancy at a young age. The effect is extremely small, however. The chance of breast cancer spreading is substantially less if it is caught and treated early. For Stage 1 cancer, approximately 90% of the women can be cured with surgery alone.

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Cancer is rarely triggered by a single factor. It usually results from an interplay between environmental factors - such as carcinogens or viruses - on one hand, and factors within the body - such as hormones and inherited genes - on the other. Among numerous carcinogens, tobacco towers over the rest as the biggest killer. In the US, for example, it is responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of lung cancer deaths.

Different digestive disorders occur more frequently in different people according to the disease, the individual and the environment. While everyone may be at risk of developing digestive disorders, these diseases occur most frequently in people who are overweight or those who have a hereditary predisposition to the disease. These are just a couple of examples of factors that increase a person's risk of developing digestive disorders.