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. 2016 Feb 24;3(3):e1143079.
doi: 10.1080/23723556.2016.1143079. eCollection 2016 May.

The importance of extrinsic factors in the development of cancers

Song Wu  1 , Yusuf Hannun  2
Affiliations

The importance of extrinsic factors in the development of cancers

Song Wu et al. Mol Cell Oncol. .

Abstract

There was recently a debate on the relative importance of intrinsic versus extrinsic factors in cancer risk. We reported that extrinsic risk factors contribute substantially (more than 70-90%) to most common cancers. This finding promotes further research into the causes of cancer and how they could be prevented.

Keywords: Cancer risk; extrinsic factors; intrinsic factors.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Contribution of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to cancer risks. Here, intrinsic risk is defined as the internal random mutation rate in dividing cells (normal tissue stem cells or other proliferating cells). Extrinsic factors may affect cancer risk through cell divisions (by inducing additional mutations or affecting proliferating rate) and/or other biological functions. *HPV: human papillomavirus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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