Who Is Most At Risk Of Getting Cancer? Expert Reveals

The rate of cancer among people all around the globe is increasing. There are about 595,690 Americans are expected to die of cancer this 2016. Cancer is the second killer disease in the US next to heart disease. It accounts for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths.

Cancer may occur at any age. On the other hand, the risk of developing heightens with age. According to figures from Cancer Research UK, the probability that a man will have cancer in the next moths doubles from 65-69. When he is over 85 years old, it rises to 1.8 percent to 3.5 percent. In older women, there is a rising from a 1.3 percent chance for women aged 65-69 to 2.1 percent when they are more than 85 years old.

So, who are at most would have a chance of getting cancer? The figures show the death rates from cancer increase as the people age. Tom Stansfeld, a health information officer at Cancer Research UK explained that cancer is a disease that can be acquired when the cells' DNA gets dented, upsetting the normal process of cell growth, decision and death and letting cells grow out of control. He further explained that DNA damage can build up over time so as people get older, their risk goes up. According to The King's Fund, about 63 percent of cases of cancer are diagnosed in people with aged 65 and over.

Meanwhile, the Cancer Facts and Figures 2016 states that cancer develops in older people. In the United States, about 86 percent of all cancers are diagnosed in people 50 years of age or older. Other behaviors also heighten the risk. These include eating an unhealthy diet, smoking, or not being physically active. The risk also increases when there is a relative with a history of cancer.

The most common cancer in women is breast cancer followed bowel cancer then lung cancer. In men, prostate cancer is the most common followed by lung cancer.