Genetics: If your parents or close relatives have had cancer in your family, there is a small chance that you will pass it on to your children genetically. Not all cancers are hereditary, but some cancers can be.
Lifestyle:
Tobacco: Smoking cigarettes, beedis, and chewing tobacco are the main causes of cancer in many parts of the body, including the lungs, mouth, throat, and esophagus.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer in the liver, breast, mouth, and esophagus.
Dietary habits: Eating too much of foods with artificial colors, processed foods, fried foods, and red meat can increase the risk of cancer.
Environmental factors:
Excessive sun exposure: Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause skin cancer.
Pollution: Pollution in air, water, and food, and long-term exposure to chemicals (e.g. asbestos) can cause cancer.
Viral infections: Certain viruses (e.g. HPV – cervical cancer, Hepatitis B & C – liver cancer) can cause cancer cells to grow in the body.
Age: The risk of cancer increases with age. This is because the body’s cells become less able to repair damage over time.
Physical and hormonal factors: Obesity and hormonal changes can cause certain cancers (e.g. breast cancer).
