Risk factor definitions 02 RISK FACTOR Something that increases the chances of getting a disease Intrinsic risk factor …is an integral part of the individual and cannot be changed (genetics, age, etc.) Extrinsic risk factor …is related to an individuals own actions and environment (tobacco, pollution, diet, etc.)

Risk factors are multiple and differ according to the cancer type RISK FACTORS Age Obesity Bacteria H.pylori Hormones Radiation Diet General health Hereditary Chemicals Viruses HPV HBV EBV Sun exposure

Absolute risk vs. Relative risk Absolute risk The risk of an individual developing cancer during their entire lifetime Relative risk The risk of a group of people developing cancer in comparison to another group

Benefits of assessing risk Allows the individual at risk to undertake prevention strategies (e.g. stop smoking, avoid radiation) ! Alerts physicians to those individuals at risk of developing cancer ! Early detection enables physicians to initiate treatment, whist the tumour is still in the initial stages ! Enables screening procedures to detect cancer at an early stage !