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Known Risk Factor
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The Risk
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Action
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Cigarettes, Cigars, Pipes |
Increased risk of lung cancer. For cigarette smokers, 10 times that on nonsmokers. | Don’t smoke. Low-tar, low-nicotine cigarettes do not eliminate risk of getting cancer. |
Chewing Tobacco, Snuff |
Increased risk of mouth cancer. | Don’t use smokeless tobacco products. |
Estrogens (for meno- pause) |
Long-term, high-dose use; increased risk of cancer of the uterus. | Take estrogens in the smallest possible dose, and only as long as necessary. Discuss benefits and risks with a physician. |
Occupation |
Exposure to one of a combination of certain known cancer-causing industrial agents nickel, chromate, uranium, asbestos, petroleum, vinyl chloride) in many cases with moking; increased risk of several cancers. | Know and follow health and safety rules of your workplace. If provided, wear protective clothing; use safety equipment (masks, respirators, etc.) Don’t smoke. |
X-rays |
Overexposure (for example, a large number of X-rays over a long period of time); increased risk of many types of cancers. | Avoid X-rays that aren’t medically needed. Be sure X-ray shields are used to protect other parts of our body when possible. |
Sunlight |
Long exposure and no sunscreen protection; increased risk of skin cancer. | Don’t stay in the sun for more than brief periods of time without protection (hats, long sleeves, long pants, sunscreen lotions). |
Alcohol |
Heavy drinking, especially with smoking; increased risk of mouth, throat, liver, and esophagus cancer. | If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. (One of two drinks per day is considered moderate.) |
Cancer Fund of America Support Services