Title: Risk Factors for Cancer - Cancer - Merck Manuals Consumer Version
Headings: Risk Factors for Cancer
Risk Factors for Cancer
Family history
Genes and chromosomes
Age
Environmental factors
Geography
Diet
Drugs and medical treatments
Table
Some Carcinogens
Infections
Inflammatory disorders
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
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Content: Tobacco smoke contains carcinogens that substantially increase the risk of developing cancers of the lungs, mouth, throat, esophagus, kidneys, and bladder. Pollutants in the air or water, such as asbestos, industrial waste, or cigarette smoke, can increase the cancer risk. Many chemicals are known to cause cancer, and many others are suspected of doing so. For example, asbestos exposure may cause lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura). Exposure to pesticides is associated with a higher risk of some types of cancer (for example, leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma ). The time between exposure to the chemicals and development of the cancer may be many years. Exposure to radiation is a risk factor for the development of cancer. Extended exposure to ultraviolet radiation, primarily from sunlight, causes skin cancer. Ionizing radiation is particularly carcinogenic. X-rays (including computed tomography [CT]) use ionizing radiation, and people who have many tests that use high doses of x-rays have an increased risk of cancer.