Prevention

Cancer prevention and methods of reducing the risk of cancer can greater lower the physical, emotional and financial burden of cancer, and improve the overall health of cancer survivors, including lowering the risk of cancer returning or the formation of a second cancer.

At least one-third of all cancers are preventable.  Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer. 

• Smoking

Tobacco has been directly linked to a number of cancers, including cancer of the lungs, bladder, cervix and kidneys, the mouth and the pancreas.  Even if you don’t smoke, exposure to secondhand smoke may increase your risk of lung cancer. Avoiding tobacco – or deciding to quit smoking – is one of the most important health decisions you can make. 

• Healthy Diet

Although making healthy selections in the supermarket and at mealtimes can’t guarantee cancer prevention, it may help reduce your risk.  Consider these guidelines:

• Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, and other foods from plant sources, such as whole grains and beans.
• Limit fat by choosing fewer high-fat foods, particularly those from animal sources, such as butter and lard. High-fat diets tend to be higher in calories and may increase the risk of obesity, which can, in turn, increase cancer risk.
• Limit consumption of red and preserved meat.
• If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.

• Physical activity

Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight will considerably reduce cancer risk.  As a general goal, include at least 30 minutes of physical activity in your daily routine. 

• Sun protection

Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer – and one of the most preventable.  Consider these guidelines:

• Avoid midday sun, ideally between 10:00am and 4:00pm when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
• Stay in the shade as much as possible, wear sunglasses, cover your head and limit exposure of the body.
• Use generous amounts of sunscreen when outdoors and reapply often.

• Screening

Regular self-examinations and professional screening for various types of cancers – such as cancer of the skin, colon, prostate, cervix and breast – can increase your chances of discovering cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful.

• Immunization

Cancer prevention includes protection from certain viral infections, such as Hepatitis B and C, human papillomavirus (HPV) and the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.