Cancer Causes & Risk Factors
Cancer can develop in many different forms, influenced by a range of factors—some genetic and inherited, while others result from environmental exposures or lifestyle choices over time. It is not a single disease, but rather a group of hundreds of diseases, each defined by the specific type of cell from which it originates. Age is one of the most significant risk factors for developing cancer. Other risk factors include modifiable behaviors such as obesity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and excessive sun exposure, along with non-modifiable risks like family history. Cancer arises when cells acquire the ability to grow uncontrollably and spread, eventually invading and damaging healthy tissues throughout the body.