Identifying risk factors is a fundamental aspect of cancer epidemiology. Risk factors can be genetic, environmental, or lifestyle-related. Epidemiologists use statistical methods to identify associations between exposure to potential risk factors and the development of cancer. Factors such as tobacco use, diet, physical inactivity, and exposure to environmental carcinogens are commonly studied. Genetic studies, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), help uncover inherited susceptibilities to cancer.
