Risk Assessment and Lifestyle Factors |
A risk factor is anything which increases a person's chance of getting a disease such as cancer. There are risk factors that we have the ability to change, while others we do not. Decreased physical activity, obesity and high-fat diets are all personal habits over which we have control, while age, race and family history are out of our hands.
The University of Virginia Genetics Evaluation Clinic provides a way for persons with a family history of cancer or other malignancies to better understand their personal risk of developing cancer and to undertake cancer risk reduction. A Way of LifeHigh-fat diets, smoking, excessive use of alcohol, exposure to ultraviolet rays (UV radiation from the sun) and chemicals (cancer causing substances), leading a lifestyle with little physical activity and sexual promiscuity are some lifestyle factors that put us at risk of developing some adult cancers. And smoking is a risk factor for lung, mouth and larynx cancer, among others. The American Cancer Society estimates that roughly one-third of the 550,000 cancer deaths in the United States every year is directly related to dietary factors, and another third to cigarette smoking. What You Can DoWhile it is true that the exact cause of most cancers is unknown, the most common types of cancer are related with lifestyle factors.If you have one or more of these risks it does not necessarily mean you will get cancer. Some people with no risk factors may develop the disease while others who have known risk factors may not. However, knowing your risk factors to any disease can help to guide you in taking appropriate action, including changing behaviors and monitoring clinical visits to the doctor. Free Resources at the University of Virginia
For information on "Getting Hooked on Exercise," click here. |
