Fine point: that is the list of substances that cause cancer, which is a more narrow set than "things" that cause cancer. The number one thing that increases a

Fine point: that is the list of substances that cause cancer, which is a more narrow set than "things" that cause cancer. The number one thing that increases a person's risk of cancer is age. After age, physical and genetic dispositions (aka family history) are also "things" that elevate cancer risks.