Risk Factors for Cancer

Are you aware of the risk factors for cancer? Many of us are not really aware of what they are, but Rachael Rettner, Senior Writer for Livescience reveals more information to make us aware of the risks.

In a new survey called the National Cancer Opinion Survey that involved more than 4,000 US adults, participants answered questions to gauge their knowledge about risk factors for cancer. The sample included the same proportions of people of different demographics and other characteristics as the country as a whole.

Most of the participants did correctly identify some of the risk factors. Nearly 80% identified tobacco use as a risk and 66% for sun exposure as another factor. Only 31% were aware that obesity is also a risk factor for cancer. Since obesity is the 2nd leading preventable cause of cancer, this is a worrisome fact. Being obese has been linked with an increased risk of colon, breast, prostate and uterine cancers.

Few of us are aware that maintaining a healthy weight will lower our association for the risk of many cancers, according to Dr. Richard Schilsky, chief medical officer at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The survey was commissioned by ASCO and carried out by Harris Poll in July of this year. Obesity cannot be solved overnight and will require broad societal engagement to address. It was found that only 30% of Americans know that drinking alcohol is also a risk factor for cancer. Alcohol consumption can increase the risk for mouth, liver and breast cancers.

Only about 25% of Americans know that lack of exercise can also increase this risk. Exercise is actually linked with a lower risk of 13 types of cancer. There are false beliefs that certain other factors could increase cancer risk, such as 14% thought cellphones could increase the risk, and 8% believe caffeine consumption could also increase their risk of cancer. Neither of these is recognized by ASCO as risk factors. Believe it or not, some studies have actually found a link with caffeine consumption with a lower risk of cancer.

Many Americans are not taking important steps to help reduce their risk. Less than 48% said they use sunblock or limit their sun exposure and only 38% said they limit alcohol consumption.

Around 66% do not smoke and 50% say they eat lots of fruits and veggies. Both of these factors can lower a person’s risk of cancer.

Questions were asked about their personal experience with cancer. Some who have cancer said they have taken dangerous steps to cut their treatment costs that could be harmful to their health. Nearly 1/4 of the participants with a family member or themselves that has had cancer, had taken steps to reduce treatment costs. About 9% had skipped doctors’ appointments, 8% refused treatment, 8% had postponed filling or had not filled prescriptions, 8% had skipped doses of medications and 7% had cut pills in half.

Americans are risking their health and their lives due to high treatment costs. This leaves them with an impossible choice to choose between their cancer treatment and necessary other expenses. Most of them believe the federal government should take action to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

With this new survey, it helps to understand what the Americans know and believe about cancer and where focus as a nation is needed in efforts to conquer cancer. Educating the public about cancer prevention is vital to fill the important gaps that need to be addressed about cancer prevention in dealing with the high treatment costs of cancer.

Dr Fredda Branyon