Cancer May Not Be Unbeatable, But It Is Preventable

A recent report published by the American Association for Cancer Research reveals that more than half of all cancer deaths in the US are potentially preventable. On the part of the government and healthcare providers, there are three general ways they can help bring down death rates from cancer. According to Dr Ernest Hawk, head of the cancer prevention division at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the three-pronged approach includes education, cancer screening, and public health policies. However, the report also emphasizes that strategies to prevent cancer are mostly based on adopting healthier lifestyles.

This means that most malignancies may be associated with non-hereditary factors, which include environmental as well as lifestyle factors. Research shows that:

• Up to one-third of cancer diagnoses are linked to the use of tobacco. It is also responsible for almost 30% of cancer deaths in the US.
• About 20% of cancers are linked to overweight or obesity.
• Insufficient physical activity is linked to 5% of cancers.
• Poor dietary habits are linked to 5% of cancers.
• Chronic infection with certain cancer-causing pathogens is responsible for up to one in five cancer diagnoses worldwide.
• Majority of skin cancers are due to overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning devices. UV light is also linked to about 2% of all cancers.

The report states that lifestyle changes could reduce by half the projected 585,000 deaths related to cancer in 2014. Hawk stressed that although people’s behaviors may contribute to their developing cancer, the report does not mean to put the blame on them. After all, lifestyle changes would only account for half of the people who may be saved from cancer.

Important Lifestyle Habits to Adopt

Doctors and scientists encourage people to take charge of their health by adopting four important habits that research has shown to be most effective. These include:

• Eating healthy.
• Being active.
• Not smoking.
• Getting screened for cancer.

Aside from these, other steps to prevent cancer include:

• Protecting the skin from overexposure to the sun.
• Practicing safe sex and avoiding risky behaviors.
• Getting immunized against cancer-causing agents such as hepatitis and HPV.
• Knowing your family’s medical history and getting screened regularly for cancer.

Losing merely 5-10% of excess weight has a big impact on one’s health. Important lifestyle habits to observe in keeping a healthy weight include:

• Eating moderately by controlling food portions.
• Avoiding sugary foods and drinks.
• Aiming to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
• Combining cardio exercises with muscle strengthening exercises.
• Reducing TV time, because TV viewing is an important predictor of obesity.
• Getting enough sleep (about 7 hours/day).
• Keeping a journal to log food intake and exercise habits.

See Also: Complementary Care Of Cancer: What Really Works, What Doesn't

Although these lifestyle habits are often related to other chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, research shows that they are also associated with various common cancers. To further reduce your risk of the common preventable cancers, read more about the added preventive measures recommended by experts.

The Seven Most Common Preventable Cancers

In addition to the changes in lifestyle factors relating to diet and physical activity, experts have recommended taking specific measures to prevent the seven preventable cancers.

Lung Cancer

Measures to prevent lung cancer include:

• Not smoking or quitting smoking.
• Avoiding secondhand smoke.
• Avoiding radon exposure at home.
• For smokers, getting screened regularly with spiral CT scan.

Skin Cancer

This is the most common cancer, but also the most preventable type of cancer. More than 76,000 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer, of which the most dangerous is melanoma, and about 10,000 will die from it.

Measures to prevent skin cancer include:

• Protecting the skin from overexposure to the sun by using sunscreen and adequate clothing.
• Avoiding overuse of indoor tanning devices.
• Carefully examining the skin for changes.
• Getting a regular medical examination of the skin, especially after age 50.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer will be diagnosed in more than 200, 000 women and 2,000 men this year. It is estimated that more than 40,000 will die from the disease. However, if diagnosed and treated early, 99% will survive for at least five years (five-year survival rate).

Measures to prevent breast cancer include:

• For mothers, breastfeeding babies.
• Limiting daily alcohol intake to one drink (women) or two drinks (men).
• Practicing self-breast examination.
• Having a clinical breast exam at least every three years at age 20-30 years and annually starting at age 40.
• Regular mammography (as recommended by your doctor) if you are at high risk.

Colorectal Cancer

Estimates show that more than 136,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and over 50,000 will die of the disease this year.

Measures to prevent colorectal cancer include:

• Diet modification to include high-fiber foods (fruits and vegetables) and limit red meat consumption.
• After age 50, regular screening exams such as flexible sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, colonoscopy and double-contrast barium enema (as recommended).

Prostate Cancer

Approximately 233,000 men will have prostate cancer, and about 30,000 will die of the disease this year.

Measures to prevent prostate cancer include:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
• At the age of 50 onwards, men are advised to get a screening exam which may consist of a direct rectal exam and/or a blood test to measure PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen).

Cervical Cancer

It is estimated that more than 12,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and about 4,000 deaths from the disease will occur this year.

Measures to prevent cervical cancer include:

• Practicing safe sex.
• Getting HPV vaccinations as recommended.
• Getting a Pap test every 3 years at age 21-29 and every 5 years up to age 65.

Oral Cancer

It is estimated that more than 42,000 people have cancer of the mouth and throat this year, and about 8,000 will die from it.

Measures to prevent oral cancer include:

• Avoiding tobacco use and limiting alcohol intake.
• Protecting the lips from sunlight by using sunscreen.
• Visiting the dentist regularly.

Testicular Cancer

This is the most common type of cancer in young men(15 to 35 years). 

See Also: Ovarian Cancer: Know Your Body, Know Your Risk

Measures to prevent skin cancer include:

• Learning how to do self-examination of the testicles.
• Asking a doctor to include examination of the testicles as part of your physical exam.