The study is expected to be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting on cancer prevention research, in Washington D.C. on Monday.

The study also found that unhappiness was another factor that might boost risk for cancer in old age.

Senior research scientist, Igor Akushevich says in a news release: “ Almost 80% of all cancers are diagnosed in the elderly, and around 80% of known risk factors can be prevented with little bit efforts.”

Clinicians (if understand the risk factors of cancer) can recommend their older patients how to reduce their chances of developing future cancers.

The Duke group used information from a broad sample of the entire U.S. elderly population and found lifestyle, behavioral and demographic variables as notable contributors in the risk of breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers in seniors.

“As we were expecting, we could observe link between smoking and lung cancer. Exercises and other moderate physical activities can decrease your not only cancer risk but also keep you away from many other diseases,” said Igor Akushevich.