What Are Risk Factors? | email this page |
Anything that may increase the chance of developing cancer is a risk factor. Risk factors for cancer can be grouped into four types: |
Behavioral risk factors Environmental risk factors |
Biological risk factors Genetic risk factors |
Find out more: | ||
Carcinogens | Most common risk factors for cancer |
Test your knowledge of risk factors:
What type of risk factors are age and race? Age and race are considered to be: | |
a. Try
Again. Although both age and race have physical attributes, they
are considered to be biological risk factors.
b. Correct. Age and race are biological risk factors. c. Try
Again. Genetic risk factors refer to the presence of specific genes
that have been identified in families or groups of people with
a high probability of getting a type of cancer. Age and race are
biological risk factors.
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Environmental risk factors include: | |
a. Correct. Some environmental risk factors, such as radon, secondhand smoke exposure, and excessive sun exposure may be under your control. Others, such as chemicals in the workplace, may not be controllable. However, in some cases you can take steps to protect yourself. b. Try
Again. Radon, secondhand smoke exposure, and excessive sun exposure are within
your control, but they also are considered environmental risk factors.
c. Try Again. Exposure to worksite carcinogens, for example, may be uncontrollable, but they are still considered to be environmental risk factors. It is important to be aware of where they may be and what you can do to protect yourself or limit your exposure. |
Fill in the blanks to indicate whether each risk factor is controllable
or uncontrollable. |