Whilst the causes of most cancers are not fully understood, some well recognised factors place individuals at risk for cancer. Risk factors for cancer include non-modifiable factors such as age, race and gender and modifiable factors such as tobacco use, obesity, inadequate nutrition and physical activity; exposure to ultraviolet radiation and occupational carcinogens and alcohol consumption.^{13, 14} 

• The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) estimated that 32.9% of the cancer burden (years of life lost to premature death and disability) in Australia in 2003 was due to 10 modifiable risk factors predominantly linked to lifestyle.¹³
• Tobacco smoking was estimated to directly cause 11.1% of new cases of reportable cancers and nearly 20.4% of all cancer deaths in Australia in 2003.¹³
• It is estimated that 5% to 10% of the common cancers are due to a familial or inherited tendency.¹³

Figure 3: Risk factors for cancer¹⁵

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Learning activities

Next: Cancer control policy [5]