Prevention of Cancer

Lifestyle factors are the main reducible risk factors. The main factors include tobacco exposure, alcohol consumption, obesity, and preventable or avoidable infections (hepatitis B Hepatitis B, Chronic Chronic hepatitis B is inflammation of the liver that is caused by the hepatitis B virus and that has lasted more than 6 months. Most people with chronic hepatitis B have no symptoms, but some... read more , hepatitis C Hepatitis C, Chronic Chronic hepatitis C is inflammation of the liver that is caused by the hepatitis C virus and that has lasted more than 6 months. Hepatitis C often causes no symptoms until after it has badly... read more , and-, human papilloma viruses Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps protect against infection by the strains of HPV that are most likely to cause the following: Cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer in... read more ). Reducing the risk of certain cancers may be possible through dietary and other lifestyle changes. How much risk can be reduced depends on the specific cancer.

Dietary changes Diet and Cancer Many studies have tried to determine whether specific foods increase or decrease a person's risk of getting cancer. Unfortunately, different studies have had conflicting results, so it is hard... read more reduce the risk of some types of cancer:

The way meat is cooked may also increase the risk of cancer. Grilling, broiling, or frying meats creates certain chemicals that have been linked to colon cancer. Using other cooking methods reduces the formation of these chemicals and may reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Tobacco use is directly associated with one third of all cancers. Not smoking and avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke can greatly reduce the risk of lung, kidney, bladder, head and neck, and several other cancer types. People who quit smoking Smoking Cessation Most people who smoke want to quit and have tried doing so with limited success. Effective tools to help quit smoking include counseling, nicotine replacement products, and medications. While... read more can also reduce their risk of cancer, and the risks decrease over time. People who avoid the use of smokeless tobacco (snuff or chew) decrease their risk of cancer of the mouth and tongue. Current smokers or people who have smoked within the past 15 years are candidates for lung cancer screening.

Being overweight or obese increases cancer risk, especially breast cancer, colon cancer, endometrial cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer and pancreatic cancer. People should try to maintain a healthy weight through both diet and exercise. Physical activity itself may reduce the risk of breast, endometrial, and prostate cancers.

Carcinogens are substances that increase the risk of cancer. Some carcinogens, such as asbestos,benzene, and diesel engine exhaust may be present in the workplace, and workers in industries that use known carcinogens should take appropriate precautions to avoid or minimize exposure. Other carcinogens occur in the home or the environment. For example, radioactive elements that naturally occur in the earth decay into radioactive radon gas, which can collect inside the homes of people living in certain areas. Exposure to radon increases the risk of lung cancer, especially in people who smoke.

Avoiding sun exposure (especially during the middle of the day) can reduce the risk of skin cancers Overview of Skin Cancer Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Skin cancer is most common among people who work or play sports outside and among sunbathers. Fair-skinned people are particularly susceptible... read more . Covering exposed skin and using sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 that protect against both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B light also help reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Vaccines can prevent certain types of cancer that are caused by viruses. For example, certain strains of sexually transmitted human papillomavirus Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps protect against infection by the strains of HPV that are most likely to cause the following: Cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer in... read more (HPV) cause cervical cancer, anal cancer, and some forms of head and neck cancer. Vaccination against HPV Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps protect against infection by the strains of HPV that are most likely to cause the following: Cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer in... read more before the first sexual encounter can largely prevent many cases of these cancers.

As another example, infection with hepatitis B virus increases the risk of liver cancer. Vaccination against hepatitis B virus Hepatitis B Vaccine The hepatitis B vaccine helps protect against hepatitis B and its complications ( chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer). Generally, hepatitis B is more serious than hepatitis A and... read more can help prevent liver cancer.

Aspirin use may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer or result in earlier diagnosis because of bleeding.

For women with symptoms of menopause Symptoms Menopause is the permanent end of menstrual periods, ovulation, and fertility. For up to several years before and just after menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate widely, periods become irregular... read more , taking hormone therapy (for example, estrogen and progesterone) may increase the risk of breast cancer. Women who have symptoms of menopause should carefully consider the risks and benefits of using hormone replacement therapy and consult their health care professional (see also Hormone Therapy for Menopause Hormone Therapy for Menopause Menopause is the permanent end of menstrual periods, ovulation, and fertility. For up to several years before and just after menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate widely, periods become irregular... read more ).