If we understand more about the various causes and risks of cancer, we can better prevent this malignant disease. While there is little we can do about our genetic predisposition to cancer, many lifestyle risk factors are very much preventable. Find out how to stay cancer-free by learning the roots behind the different types of tumours.

Cancer: Genetic or Lifestyle Disease?

Certain cancers, such as breast and colon cancers, tend to run in families while others are believed to skip generations. In all, only 5 - 10% of cancers are hereditary.

The main causes for the majority of cancers however, have to do with how we live. Hence, it is important to change your lifestyle to reduce cancer risks as much as possible.

Cancer Risk Factor 1: Body Weight

Risks: Cancers of the womb, kidney, colon, gallbladder, oesophagus and breast (post-menopausal)
Obesity has been found to be linked to an increased risk for cancer. Very overweight (obese) individuals are more likely to develop cancers of the womb, colon, gallbladder, kidney, oesophagus (gullet) and breast.

Research cited by Cancer Research UK, for instance, indicated that a high body mass index (BMI) increases likelihood for colon cancer, especially in cases where most of the body fat is accumulated in the abdominal area (abdominal obesity). The findings also showed that being overweight or obese can increase the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, as well as kidney and oesophagus cancers.