Risk Factors

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.

At this time, no factors have been identified that raise a person’s risk of developing an islet cell tumor. However, an islet cell tumor is sometimes associated with a hereditary condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1 (MEN1). MEN1 increases the risk of developing tumors of three glands: pituitary, parathyroid, and pancreas. For more information, read the Cancer.Net Guide to Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Type 1.