1.2 Risk factors

1.2 Risk factors

As the primary cancer site is not known for people with CUP, it is difficult to identify risk factors. Evaluating risk is also challenging because of non-uniformity between CUP cases. CUP and advanced cancer research indicates the following factors may increase a person’s risk of developing CUP (AIHW 2018, Brewster et al. 2014, Kaaks et al. 2014, Luke et al. 2008, Urban et al. 2013):

  • increasing age
  • male gender
  • family history of cancer
  • smoking
  • excessive alcohol consumption
  • excess body fat
  • inadequate physical activity
  • living in areas of lower socioeconomic status
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background
  • infrequent general practice consultations.