Scientists have identified many risk factors that increase the chance of getting cancer. Some people are more sensitive than others to factors that can cause cancer. Many risk factors can be avoided. Others, such as inherited risk factors, are unavoidable. People at risk can help protect themselves by avoiding risk factors where possible and by getting regular checkups so that, if cancer develops, it is likely to be found early.
Tobacco causes cancer.
Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death in this country. Smoking accounts for more than 85 percent of all lung cancer deaths. If you smoke, your risk of getting lung cancer is affected by the number and type of cigarettes you smoke and how long you have been smoking. Overall, for those who smoke one pack a day, the chance of getting lung cancer is about 10 times greater than for nonsmokers. The risk of cancer begins to decrease when a smoker quits, and the risk continues to decline gradually each year after quitting.