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Cancer

Risk Factors & Prevention

Lowering your cancer risk starts with regular checkups and screenings. At Broward Health, we’re helping people across South Florida catch cancer early—or prevent it altogether—through proactive care and education.

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Are You at Risk for Cancer?

Cancer can affect anyone, but some people face a higher risk based on factors both within and beyond their control.

Uncontrollable risk factors include:

  • Age
  • Family history or genetics
  • Gender
  • Race
  • Chronic inflammation

Controllable risk factors include:

  • Sun exposure
  • Diet
  • Alcohol and tobacco use
  • Radiation exposure

The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. At Broward Health, our cancer experts focus on prevention, education and recommended screenings to help you stay proactive about your health.

Learn About the Cancers We Treat at Broward Health
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Risk Factors

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), these are the 12 most studied and best understood risk factors linked to a cancer diagnosis.

While some risks—like age and genetics—can’t be avoided, others such as sun exposure and diet are within your control and can help lower your overall risk for certain cancers.

Age

The median age for getting a cancer diagnosis in the United States is 66. Learn more about the connection between advancing age and cancer risk.

Aging and Cancer

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol is one of the highest factors impacting your chances of developing cancer. See what the NCI says about alcohol and cancer.

Alcohol and Cancer

Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation, or swelling, occurs during the body’s healing process. When it continues with no sign of infection or injury, it can lead to an increased risk for cancer. 

Inflammation and Cancer

Diet

Changes in your eating habits – eating less processed foods, cutting back sugar -and avoiding cancer-causing additives – can impact your risk levels.

Cancer and Foods

Environment

Being around or breathing in certain chemicals and substances increases your risks for cancer. See what the NCI has to say about these known human carcinogens.

Environmental Carcinogens

Hormones

Estrogen, the sex hormone tied most closely to women’s reproductive health, can lead to an increased risk for cancer.

Estrogen and Cancer Risks

Immune System Issues

People who have taken immunosuppressants for transplants or have weakened or compromised immune systems have a higher risk for developing cancer.

Immunosuppression

Infections

Having an infection, whether from virus, parasite or bacteria, can lead to an increased risk for cancer. The right vaccines can help reduce the risk.

Cancer Risks from Infections

Obesity

Carrying too much weight for your body leads to an increased risk for breast, colorectal, throat and other cancers. Losing weight can help lower that risk.

Obesity and Cancer

Radiation

Spending time around high-energy, or ionizing radiation, including radon and X-rays, increases your risks for cancer due to long-term exposure damaging DNA. 

Radiation Risks

Sunlight

Welcome to the Sunshine State! Protecting yourself from too much UV ray exposure is the best way to prevent skin cancer.

Stop Skin Cancer

Tobacco

Tobacco is the leading cause of cancer diagnoses and death, even smokeless tobacco increases risk for certain cancers.

Tobacco and Cancer

Testing & Diagnosis

At Broward Health, we use advanced and innovative diagnostic tests and tools, including biopsies, endoscopy and genetic screening, to give you peace of mind.

Get Answers
risk factors and prevention

Helping You Prevent Cancer

While cancer can’t always be prevented, healthy choices can reduce your risk. At Broward Health, we use our expertise and resources to help the South Florida community live healthier, longer lives.

That includes guidance on eating well, staying active and keeping up with recommended screenings. Whether you’re managing symptoms or just want peace of mind, our cancer prevention experts are here for you—every step of the way.

Your Cancer Experts

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Sobel, Ryan H., MD

Head & Neck Surgery

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Mojica, Ann M., MD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Behairy, Ahmed S., MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Abdulla, Alia, DO

Surgical Oncology, Breast Surgery

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Rodriguez-Cortes, Hector M., MD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Keating, Shannon B., DO

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Garzon, Angelica M., MD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Hepgur, Mehmet F., MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Grosset, Alan, MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Jordan, Scott E., MD

Gynecologic Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Maini, Archana, MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Sobel, Ryan H., MD

Head & Neck Surgery

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Mojica, Ann M., MD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Behairy, Ahmed S., MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Abdulla, Alia, DO

Surgical Oncology, Breast Surgery

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Rodriguez-Cortes, Hector M., MD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Keating, Shannon B., DO

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Garzon, Angelica M., MD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Hepgur, Mehmet F., MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Grosset, Alan, MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Jordan, Scott E., MD

Gynecologic Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Maini, Archana, MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Sobel, Ryan H., MD

Head & Neck Surgery

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Mojica, Ann M., MD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Behairy, Ahmed S., MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Abdulla, Alia, DO

Surgical Oncology, Breast Surgery

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Rodriguez-Cortes, Hector M., MD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Keating, Shannon B., DO

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Garzon, Angelica M., MD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Hepgur, Mehmet F., MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Grosset, Alan, MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Jordan, Scott E., MD

Gynecologic Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group
Maini, Archana, MD

Hematology/Oncology

broward employee logoBroward Health Physician Group

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Leading Prevention Resources

Doctors doing research

Physician Data Query from NCI

Physician Data Query® (PDQ), the NCI’s expert-reviewed cancer database, is updated regularly for patients and caregivers to stay on top of changes in cancer prevention.

Visit Physician Data Query

American Cancer Society

You can’t stop cancer from happening, but becoming familiar with and adhering to the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) resources on cancer causes and lowering your risk can help.

American Cancer Society