Which of the following is listed as a risk factor for colon cancer in the material?

• A. Smoking
• B. Non-smoking
• C. Moderate alcohol use
• D. High physical activity

Answer: (A)

Smoking increases the risk of colon cancer because tobacco carries carcinogens that can damage the cells lining the colon over time, leading to mutations that promote cancer development. In the material, this is listed as a modifiable risk factor, meaning it can influence your chance of developing the disease if changed. The other options don’t fit as risk factors in this context: not smoking is not a risk factor and is actually protective, moderate alcohol use isn’t identified as a risk factor in this item, and high physical activity is protective and reduces risk rather than increasing it. So smoking stands out as the risk factor highlighted in the material.