Cancer

Cancer usually results from a combination of factors. These include lifestyle factors such as smoking and diet; hereditary factors, which is why knowing your family history of cancer is important; and environmental factors which can be physical, biological, or chemical. Different types of cancer have different risk factors. These risk factors increase the chance of getting cancer. However, some people with a known cancer risk factor will not develop cancer and some people will develop cancer even without a known risk factor.

Page last reviewed: December 29, 2015