Cancer prevention and screening: the next step in the era of precision medicine

Cancer risk varies within a population. Individuals within a population will have differing baseline levels of cancer risk, which may be influenced by genetic and environmental factors, or the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The general population (black) is considered individuals of average cancer risk. Over time, one’s risk may increase as a consequence of age or exposure (purple). However, an individual may be considered high-risk if, despite age or exposure, he or she has a heritable condition (e.g. Lynch syndrome), a family history of cancer suggesting genetic susceptibility, or a personal history of cancer (red). The high-risk population may also incur increased risk over time due to age and exposur