Know your Risks

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Know your Risks

Cancer is a disease that can affect anyone, however, there are certain factors that may increase the likelihood of developing the disease.

Understanding these risk factors is crucial for taking the lead in your health journey. Some risks such as family history, are beyond your control, but some others, depend on your environment or habits, such as smoking, or alcohol consumption. If you think you are exposed to any risk factor, it is important to protect yourself and monitor regularly, as early detection significantly improves cancer outcomes. Our CTCs multicancer screening tests help detect over 70 different types of cancer early when it is more treatable, and chances of successful intervention and outcomes are higher.

Family History & Genetics

Having a family history of certain cancer types may suggest an increased genetic predisposition

Smoking

Smoking, including passive smoking, is one of the main and most concerning preventable causes of cancer in Ireland

Diabetes & Obesity

Diabetes and obesity can create an environment favorable for many cancer types to evolve

Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol is known to increase the chance of developing liver, breast, oesophageal, and stomach cancers
Key Factors
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Key Factors

Having a family history of certain cancer types, may suggest an increased genetic predisposition to developing the disease. Your risk might be higher if close relatives such as parents or siblings have been diagnosed with genetically associated cancer types. Research studies have indicated that individuals with a family history of breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, or ovarian cancer face an elevated risk of developing these cancers themselves (1,2). Hereditary cancers often follow generational patterns, which makes genetic counselling and screening important tools in those individual’s health routine, which are recommended by guidelines for individuals with strong family history of certain cancers (3). Family history plays an important role in risk assessment and screening decisions and indviduals with family history may benefit from closer monitoring and regular screening (4, 5).

Genetic testing is a type of laboratory tests that detects specific inherited mutations in a person’s genes that may increase the risk of diseases including cancer. Between 5%–10% of all cancers are associated to pathological genetic mutations that are passed from parents to their children (6). Some mutations, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, are widely known as high-risk and are associated to increased risk of breast, ovarian, and other cancers (3,6). More than 60% of women with germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations will develop breast cancer during their lifetime in comparison to 13% of women in the general population (7). Although genetic risk factors cannot be altered, those individuals who have high genetic risk of developing cancer should align regular cancer screening to their genetic counselling to enhance their cancer prevention strategies (3, 7).

Smoking is one of the main preventable causes of cancer, which has been connected to several cancer types, including bladder, pancreatic, throat, mouth, and lung cancer (8). Tobacco and cigarette smoke can release carcinogenic compounds in the body that harm DNA, promoting tumour growth and ultimately causing cancer. In Ireland, smoking, including passive smoking, is the leading cause of cancer (9). Since smoking is seen as a modifiable risk factor, stopping at any moment can dramatically lower your risk of developing cancer, even if you have smoked for years. You might benefit from routine screening if you smoke, used to smoke, or are a passive smoker.

Diabetes is widely recognised as a cancer risk-factor. Studies show that there is an association between both diabetes type 1 and 2 and increased risk of various cancer types including liver, pancreatic, colorectal cancer and others (10). Chronic inflammation, high blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, which are features of diabetes, create an environment that promotes tumour growth and consequently, cancer (10, 11). Similarly, obesity is also associated with chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and insulin resistance, caused by excess body weight which also contribute to elevated risk of certain cancer types, including breast, colorectal, kidney, and pancreatic cancer (12). A healthy and nutritious diet, healthy body weight, plus regular physical activity can help reduce the overall risks associated with diabetes and obesity. Routine screening are important for early cancer detection and intervention, therefore, better outcomes.

Alcohol consumption has been linked to a number of cancer forms, according to scientific research (13). Drinking too much alcohol is known to increase the chance of developing liver, breast, oesophageal, and stomach cancers. Over time, alcohol can harm cells and decrease the body's capacity to repair DNA (13). Alcohol is also considered a modifiable risk factor and reducing alcohol use or drinking in moderation can help minimize your risk. Limiting alcohol intake reduces the risk of 7 different types of cancer (9, 13). For people with a history of strong alcohol use, routine testing can help with early cancer detection.

References

  1. Keivanlou M-H et al. Family history as a risk factor for colorectal cancer in EMRO countries. Sci Rep. 2023;13:
  2. 17457Ramsey SD et al. Prevalence of family history of cancer and its implications. Genet Med. 2006;8(9):571-5.
  3. Cancer Research UK. Family history of breast cancer and inherited genes. (Last reviewed: June 7, 2023): Family history of breast cancer and inherited genes | Cancer Research UK
  4. Turati F et al. Family history and cancer risk: case-control studies. Ann Oncol. 2013;24(10):2651-6.
  5. Del Risco Kollerud R et al. Family history and childhood solid tumours: a Norwegian study. Br J Cancer. 2018;118(6):905-12.
  6. National Cancer Institute. Genetics [Internet]. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; [cited 2025 Feb 27]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics
  7. NIHR. Understanding breast cancer risk. (2023): Breast cancer: Why we need to understand breast cancer risk
  8. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The health consequences of smoking—50 years of progress: a report of the Surgeon General [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2024 Dec 30]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK179276/
  9. National Cancer Registry Ireland. Modifiable risk factors and cancer in Ireland: https://www.ncri.ie/sites/ncri/files/pubs/NCRI_Risk%20factors%20Report%2006102020.pdf
  10. Shahid RK et al. Diabetes and cancer: risk, challenges, and management. Cancers (Basel). 2021;13(22).
  11. Arem H & Loftfield E. Cancer epidemiology: modifiable risk factors. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018;12(3):200-10.
  12. Pati S et al. Obesity and cancer: epidemiology and management. Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(2).
  13. Gapstur SM et al. Alcohol reduction and cancer risk: IARC perspective. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(26):2486-94.