Cancer: Are You at Risk?

Who is at risk for cancer?

Everyone has some risk for cancer. In the United States, cancer is likely to affect 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women at least once in their lifetime. The amount of risk you have depends on a number of factors. These factors include tobacco use, lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise, family history, and factors in your workplace and environment.

How can I keep from getting cancer?

Unfortunately, some risk factors for cancer (like family history) are out of your control. But you can control some of the important risk factors for most types of cancer -- such as your diet and exercise habits, your exposure to sunlight and tanning beds and whether you are overweight or use tobacco products.

Seeing your doctor regularly can also help. Depending on your age and medical history, your doctor will probably run tests (called "screenings") to try to detect the early signs of certain cancers. For most types of cancer, the sooner the cancer is found and treatment begins, the better your chances of recovering.

How does smoking and other tobacco use affect my risk for cancer?

If you smoke, quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health. Cigarette smoking is a major cause of cancers of the lung, larynx (voice box), mouth and esophagus, and it can also contribute to cancers in other parts of the body.

According to the American Cancer Society, people who quit smoking at any age live longer than those who continue to smoke. For example, smokers who quit before age 50 have half the risk of dying within 15 years compared with those who continue smoking. And the more you smoke, the more damage you do. People who smoke 2 packs or more per day are nearly 20 times more likely to develop cancer than nonsmokers.

Other forms of tobacco, such as cigars, chewing tobacco and snuff, can also cause cancer. If you use tobacco products and want to stop, talk to your family doctor. He or she can help you make a plan to quit.

Can diet and exercise really help?

Eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet and exercising regularly are good for your health in general. By eating well and staying in good physical shape, you can help reduce your risk of many diseases, including certain types of cancer.

It's not hard to change your diet for the better. Just make choices that include whole grains (such as whole wheat bread or pasta), fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Cut back on sweets and alcohol, and include fish and poultry in your diet on a regular basis. Making just a few of these changes can improve your overall health.

If you're not used to exercising, start slow. Choose a type of exercise you enjoy, so you'll be sure to stick with it. Try to gradually work up to exercising 30 to 60 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week. If you have heart problems or any other health concerns, talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Should I tell my doctor that I was treated for cancer as a child?

Yes, this information is important. Your doctor will want to know about your childhood cancer and treatment. The treatments for a childhood cancer can cause problems later in life. These problems include obesity, brittle bones, depression, heart trouble, women's health issues, and a higher risk of other cancers. Up to 60 percent of adult childhood cancer survivors have at least one ongoing or late-arising health problem.

You can work out a plan for follow-up with your family doctor. You may have to talk to your parents or your childhood doctors to get the best plan for your health care now.

How does my family history affect my risk for cancer?

Unfortunately, some types of cancer seem to run in families. People of a certain race or ethnic group also may have a higher risk of some kinds of cancer.

Your doctor will ask you whether other people in your family have had cancer. If someone in your immediate family (a parent, brother, sister or child) has had cancer, you probably are at higher risk for having cancer, too.

You can't change your family history, but it helps to be aware of it. If you and your doctor know that cancer tends to run in your family, you can watch more closely for the early signs of the disease. For example, if you are a woman and have a family history of breast cancer, your doctor may want you to start having mammograms more often or at a younger age.

What about factors in my workplace or environment?

There may be substances in your surroundings that can cause cancer or put you at a higher risk of developing cancer. These can include dust and vapors in the air you breathe and chemicals that touch your skin. Exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, and breathing tobacco smoke (by smoking yourself or by breathing secondhand smoke) puts you at risk of lung cancer and some other types of cancer.

Ask your employer if there are any materials in your workplace that can cause cancer. These may include asbestos, solvents and chemicals used for manufacturing or cleaning, smoke or fumes from burning materials, and many others. Your employer should have a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each substance that could potentially damage your health. All employers are required by law to complete these forms, and you have a right to see them. Your employer should also give you equipment, such as a mask and protective clothing, to help decrease your exposure to any harmful materials.

Take a look at the environment outside your workplace, as well. Too much exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, the most common form of cancer. Try to stay out of the sun as much as you can. If you must spend time in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen.