90% of all cancers are caused by environmental factors and lifestyle choices, such as smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, and exposure to harmful chemicals. Additionally, some cancers can be caused by inherited genetic mutations.
Smoking is a major contributor to cancer and is responsible for about 22% of cancer deaths in the United States. Smoking can cause many types of cancer, including lung, throat, bladder, mouth, pancreas, and kidney cancer.
Eating a poor diet can increase your risk for certain cancers. Eating processed meats and foods high in fat and sugar can increase your risk of colorectal cancer, while eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables can increase your risk of stomach, lung, and other types of cancers.
Lack of exercise can also increase your risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast and colon cancer. Exercise helps to reduce your risk of cancer by improving your body’s ability to fight off cancer cells.
Exposure to harmful chemicals, such as asbestos and benzene, can increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as mesothelioma and leukemia.
Finally, certain inherited genetic mutations can increase your risk of developing some types of cancer, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations which are linked to increased risk of breast, ovarian, and other types of cancer.