Ways to Prevent Cancer
Did you know that many choices you make every day can lower your risk for several types of cancer?
Research shows that up to 50% of cancer cases and about 50% of cancer deaths are preventable with the knowledge we have today.
Here are eight ways to reduce your cancer risk or detect cancer early, which leads to better outcomes.
1. Know your family health history and get recommended cancer screenings
Share your family health history with your health care provider and discuss cancer screenings. Some tests can help detect cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be successful, and some can also detect precancerous conditions before they become cancer. While screening has been proven to save lives, screening guidelines may not be “one size fits all.”
2. Don’t use tobacco
Tobacco use (including cigarettes, cigars, hookah, chewing tobacco and more) has been linked to many types of cancer, including lung, colorectal, breast, throat, cervical, bladder, mouth and esophageal cancers. It’s best to never start using tobacco, but if you do use tobacco products, it’s never too late to quit. According to the American Cancer Society, cigarette smoking rates reached a historic low in the U.S. in 2021. However, smoking still accounts for about 30% of all cancer deaths. About 80%-90% of all lung cancers are related to cigarette smoking.
Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke are also at risk for lung and other types of cancer, as well as other diseases. E-cigarettes can also cause serious health risks and can lead to addiction or serve as a gateway to other tobacco products. The Prevent Cancer Foundation stands firm in discouraging the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.