癌症產生的機製可以簡單的表達為 C = G x E

C = Cancer

G = Gene

E = Environment

Environment includes 1) natural environment (geography, air, water, radiation, etc.), 2) lifestyle (diet, smoking, alcohol, sleep, physical activity, day/night shift, etc.), 3) socioecological factors (race, education, socioeconomic status, community, etc.). The last 2 can be classified as social determinants of health (SDOH).