Am I at risk for cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, more than one million people get cancer each year and approximately one out of every two American men and one out of every three American women will have some type of cancer at some point during their lifetime. Anyone can get cancer at any age, however cancer is more commonly diagnosed in people age of 55 and older. Common risk factors for cancer include:

• Growing older
• Tobacco
• Sunlight
• Ionizing radiation
• Certain chemicals and other substances
• Some viruses and bacteria
• Certain hormones
• Family history of cancer
• Alcohol
• Poor diet, lack of physical activity, or being overweight

Having one or more risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll get cancer. Talk with your doctor about ways to prevent cancer and schedule regular checkups. Early detection is an important weapon in the fight against cancer.