What Causes Cancer — Common Risk Factors & Causes
Cancer doesn’t have a single cause; rather, there are many risk factors that — alone or together — increase the probability of developing cancer. Some of the most important causes/risk
factors globally and in India:
• Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or using other tobacco products remains the single biggest preventable cause of many cancers (lung, oral, throat, etc.).
• Unhealthy diet & obesity: Diets high in processed foods, red meat, low in fruits/vegetables, plus obesity — contribute to higher risk of many cancers (stomach, colorectal, breast, etc.).
• Physical inactivity: Lack of regular exercise increases cancer risk — activity helps regulate hormones, inflammation, body weight.
• Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol (especially heavily or over many years) raises risk of cancers in various organs (liver, esophagus, breast, etc.).
• Environmental exposures / Pollution: Exposure to air pollution, industrial chemicals, radiation, and other environmental carcinogens — especially relevant in densely populated or industrial areas.
• Infections: Some viruses, bacteria or other pathogens are linked to cancer — e.g. certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) linked to cervical cancer; hepatitis viruses linked to liver cancer; Helicobacter pylori linked to stomach cancer.
• Genetic predisposition & family history: Some people inherit genes that increase their risk of certain cancers; such hereditary factors — when combined with other risk factors — may raise cancer chances.
• Ageing: As people live longer, their cumulative exposure to risk factors grows — and risk of cancer increases with age.
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