A caregiver providing comfort to a cancer patient

Cancer Causes and Risk Factors

Diet, lifestyle, and genetics can factor into your chances of getting cancer. Discover the most common causes of cancer and the changes you can make that may decrease your risk.
air fryer with french fries
Can Air Fryers Cause Cancer?
By Lynne Eldridge, MD
Engineer at wind turbine farm
Can Windmills Cause Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Blister pack of medication
What Is The Risk of Zantac Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
woman taking pill
Omeprazole: Cancer Risk and Alternatives
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Baby powder on mother's hand, dust dangerous for health concept.
Does Baby Powder Cause Ovarian Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Farmer spraying crops
Does Roundup Cause Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Grandmother with cancer holds grandchild or great-grandchild
What You Need to Know About Cancer and Genetics
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
oral DNA swab
What Is Genetic Testing for Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
Female doctor in discussion with senior male patient and adult daughter in exam room - stock photo
Is Cancer Contagious?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Asian mother and child using a microwave oven
Can Microwaves Cause Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
An ethnic senior woman battling cancer sits with her daughter on the couch
What is Adenocarcinoma?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Family shopping for cosmetics
Does Deodorant Cause Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
A doctor and cancer patient review test results.
How Does Carcinoma Differ From Other Cancers?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Snuff
Does Dip Cause Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Asparagus
Does Asparagus Cause Cancer or Help Fight It?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Tobacco chewing pouches
What Is Chewing Tobacco?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Talcum powder
Talc and Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
woman seasoning red meat
Does Red Meat Cause Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
UV lamp and chemicals for nails may increase cancer risk
Can You Get Cancer From Acrylic Nails?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Business person uses Bluetooth earbuds
Do Bluetooth Headphones Really Cause Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Microwave popcorn bag
Is Microwave Popcorn Still a Health Risk?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
gene mutation BRAF in cancer
What Does it Mean if Your Cancer Has a BRAF Mutation?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Multi ethnic research team studying DNA mutations. Female doctor in foreground
What is the Difference Between Hereditary and Acquired Mutations With Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
Cancer research laboratory, male scientist studied cells under the microscope
Do You Know the Leading Causes and Risk Factors of Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Chemotherapy Patient
Understanding Oncogenesis, the Process That Leads to Cancer
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
Close up of DNA samples in microcentrifuge tubes during an experiment in the laboratory with the DNA profile on the monitor screen.
Understanding Loss of Heterozygosity: A Common Cancer Mutation
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Cancer patient in hospice care.
What It Means to Have a Genetic Predisposition to Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Close-up of person hand holding electronic cigarette
The Hazards of Juuling for Adolescents
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Doctors Explaining Test Results To Japanese Patient
Lynch Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
By Brittany Ferri
Woman getting cancer treatment
What are Oncogenes and How Do They Cause Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Stressed man at work
How to Understand the Links Between Stress and Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Woman cancer patient in the hospital
How Health Disparities Can Impact HPV-Related Cancers
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
BRCA gene mutation as a cause of cancer
What Is Your Cancer Risk If You Have a BRCA2 Mutation?
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
6 Viruses That Can Lead to Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Highball on table
Types of Cancer Caused by Drinking Alcohol
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Woman getting her hair dyed red
Can Hair-Coloring Products Hurt You or Cause Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Sugar Cubes
Does Sugar Actually Cause Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
A young cancer patient looking out the window
Industrial Pollution by Ciba-Geigy Corporation
Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig
gene mutation illustrating the non-BRCA gene mutations that raise breast cancer risk
What Is the TP53 Gene and Why Is It Important in Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Cold Water Bottles on Ice
Truth Behind the Claim of Freezing Plastic Water Bottles Causes Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
A woman drinking a glass of iced water
Debunking the Cancer Myth That Cold Water Can Cause Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Asbestos Removal
The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
woman getting a spray tan
Spray Tans Are Not Completely Risk-Free
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
Can celiac disease cause cancer?
Learn How Celiac Disease Affects Your Risk of Cancer
Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS
girl getting the Cervical Cancer Vaccine
How Some Viruses Cause Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
USA, Utah, Orem, carpenter at work
Wood Dust Exposure and Lung Cancer Risk
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Sitting in office, doctor has serious conversation with patient
Heart Cancer: Understanding Cardiac Tumors and Cancers
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
Packages of Splenda and Equal
Do Splenda or Sucralose Cause Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
Genetic testing in medical lab
Cancer Risk: Know Your Genetic Blueprint
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Imaging evaluation is crucial in confirming a diagnosis
Learn Why You May Develop Spinal Cord Compression From Cancer
Medically reviewed by Eva Umoh Asomugha, M.D.
cigarette being lit
How These Common Carcinogens May Be Increasing Your Risk for Cancers
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD