Background: Cancer is among the leading causes of death in developed countries and second leading cause of death in developing countries. Awareness and knowledge of the manifestations of cancer and its risk factors can reduce the cancer–related deaths. Objective: To assess the knowledge of common types of cancer, its manifestations and risk factors in rural youth of Varanasi. Materials and methods: A cross sectional community based survey was conducted in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. One hundred eighty two youth in the age group of 15– 24 years was selected by multistage sampling. Information regarding socio demographic characteristics, knowledge and risk factors of cancer were obtained by interviewing study subjects on predesigned and pretested Performa. Result: 58.1% male and 59.8% female subjects were not aware about most common tobacco related cancer in women. Corresponding value for tobacco related cancer in men were 73.5 and in women 75%. Unexplained lump, unexplained pain, unexplained bleeding, persistent cough or hoarseness and persistent change in bowel and bladder habit were considered as manifestations of cancer by 14.8%, 37.4%, 32.4%, 26.4% and 25.8% subjects respectively. Khaini, Gutakha and Cigarette / Bidi smoking were considered as risk factor of oral cancer by 64.8%, 29.1%, 19.8% and 2.7% subjects respectively. Majority subjects stated that first visit to the hospital for cancer should be Medical College. Conclusion: The overall awareness about common type cancers and its manifestation and risk factors was not satisfactory and there was considerable difference between the knowledge level of male and female youth of Varanasi, India.