AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Scientists have identified lifestyle risk factors for various types of…
Full specification wording
Cancer: Scientists have identified lifestyle risk factors for various types of cancer.
A risk factor is something that increases the chance of developing a disease, but it does not guarantee that the disease will occur.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 5
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
A risk factor is something that increases the chance of developing a disease, but it does not guarantee that the disease will occur. Scientists study large groups of people over long periods and compare those exposed to a factor with those not exposed. In this way they have identified lifestyle risk factors for various types of cancer. Lifestyle factors are aspects of a person's behaviour or environment that they may be able to change. Examples include smoking, which is linked to lung cancer; drinking too much alcohol, linked to liver cancer; obesity and a poor diet; and exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun or sunbeds, linked to skin cancer. Reducing exposure to these factors lowers risk, but because risk is not certainty, a person with no known risk factors can still develop cancer.
What earns the marks
- A risk factor increases the chance of developing cancer but does not make it certain.
- Lifestyle risk factors are linked to behaviour or environment and can often be changed.
- Examples include smoking, excess alcohol, obesity, poor diet and ultraviolet radiation.
- Scientists identify risk factors by studying large populations over time and comparing groups.
- Reducing exposure to a lifestyle risk factor lowers the chance of developing the associated cancer.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating a risk factor as a definite cause.
Put it right: It raises the probability of cancer but does not guarantee it.
Listing only smoking; correction: give a range of examples such as alcohol, obesity, diet and ultraviolet radiation.
Confusing correlation with proof of cause.
Put it right: Population studies show a link, and scientists look for further evidence before calling something a cause.
Exam tips
- Define risk factor before giving examples, so the meaning is clear.
- Match each example to a named cancer type, such as smoking and lung cancer.
- Use words such as increases the chance rather than causes when writing about risk factors.
Try the lesson
The start of the Cancer: Scientists have identified lifestyle risk factors for various types of cancer. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of these is a lifestyle risk factor that scientists have linked to some types of cancer?
Listen
A risk factor is something that increases the chance of developing a disease, but it does not guarantee that the disease will occur. Scientists study large groups of people over long periods and compare those exposed to a factor with those not exposed. In this way they have identified lifestyle risk factors for various types of cancer. Lifestyle factors are aspects of a person's behaviour or environment that they may be able to change. Examples include smoking, which is linked to lung cancer; drinking too much alcohol, linked to liver cancer; obesity and a poor diet; and exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun or sunbeds, linked to skin cancer. Reducing exposure to these factors lowers risk, but because risk is not certainty, a person with no known risk factors can still develop cancer. A strong answer earns marks for these points. A risk factor increases the chance of developing cancer but does not make it certain. Lifestyle risk factors are linked to behaviour or environment and can often be changed. Examples include smoking, excess alcohol, obesity, poor diet and ultraviolet radiation. Scientists identify risk factors by studying large populations over time and comparing groups. A common slip: Treating a risk factor as a definite cause. Instead, it raises the probability of cancer but does not guarantee it. Exam tip: Define risk factor before giving examples, so the meaning is clear.
See it
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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