A risk factor is any element that could increase an individual's likelihood of developing a disease. It can be an activity, such as smoking, diet, family history, or other variables. Different diseases, including cancers, are associated with different risk factors.
It is important to note that having one or more risk factors doesn't guarantee the development of a disease. Some individuals with identified risk factors never experience the associated disease, while others may develop the disease without apparent risk factors.
Understanding your risk factors for any disease can be helpful in appropriate actions, including changing behaviours and undergoing clinical monitoring for early detection and intervention.