Risk Factors and Prevention

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, such as smoking, and some cannot be controlled, such as age and family history. Although risk factors can influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health-care choices.

The following factors may raise a person’s risk of developing bone cancer:

Genetics. Children with familial retinoblastoma (an eye cancer) have an increased risk of developing osteosarcoma.

Previous radiation therapy. People who have had radiation treatment for other conditions have a higher risk of developing bone cancer at the site of the radiation therapy. The majority of radiation therapy-caused bone cancers are osteosarcomas, but other types may occur.

Chemotherapy. Some drugs, including alkylating agents and anthracyclines, used to treat cancer may increase the risk of developing a secondary cancer, usually osteosarcoma.

Benign tumors or other bone conditions. Paget’s disease may cause osteosarcoma. Other benign bone diseases, such as fibrous dysplasia, may increase the risk of osteosarcoma.

Currently, there is no known way of preventing bone cancer. Early detection offers the best hope for successful treatment, so people with risk factors are encouraged to visit the doctor regularly. Still, most bone cancer occurs in people with no known risk factors.