How to prevent cancer

Cancer kills more people than AIDS, malaria and TB combined and without significant improvements

Preventable and curable cancers will continue to kill millions of people worldwide

Prevention offers the most cost- effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer as 30-40% of cancers can be prevented, and one- third of cancers can be cured through early diagnosis and treatment.

Preventable risk factors Tobacco Tobacco Obesity Obesity Physical inactivity Physical inactivity Alcohol Alcohol Sun exposure Sun exposure Infections Infections Pollution Pollution

Tobacco Tobacco kills more than 5 million people a year, an average of one person every six seconds. Tobacco kills more than 5 million people a year, an average of one person every six seconds. It accounts for one in ten adult deaths worldwide. Tobacco use, particularly smoking, is the single biggest cause of cancer in the world, responsible for more than a quarter of all cancer deaths, including cancers of the lung, mouth, throat, nose and sinuses, liver, pancreas, stomach, cervix, breast, bowel, kidney and bladder. It also plays a in the development of a wide range of cardiovascular and pneumologic diseases. It accounts for one in ten adult deaths worldwide. Tobacco use, particularly smoking, is the single biggest cause of cancer in the world, responsible for more than a quarter of all cancer deaths, including cancers of the lung, mouth, throat, nose and sinuses, liver, pancreas, stomach, cervix, breast, bowel, kidney and bladder. It also plays a in the development of a wide range of cardiovascular and pneumologic diseases.

Tobacco smoke in enclosed spaces is also inhaled by non-smokers. In 2004, second hand smoke was responsible for 600,000 premature deaths (28% of which occurred in children). Tobacco smoke in enclosed spaces is also inhaled by non-smokers. In 2004, second hand smoke was responsible for 600,000 premature deaths (28% of which occurred in children). Numerous studies have shown that stopping tobacco use and creating smoke free environments greatly reduces the risk of cancers and other short and long term health risks. Numerous studies have shown that stopping tobacco use and creating smoke free environments greatly reduces the risk of cancers and other short and long term health risks.

Stop smoking, chewing and sniffing tobacco. Stop smoking, chewing and sniffing tobacco. Try to avoid exposure to passive smoke. Try to avoid exposure to passive smoke.

Obesity Dietary modification is another important approach to cancer control. There is a link between overweight and obesity to many types of cancer such as oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. Dietary modification is another important approach to cancer control. There is a link between overweight and obesity to many types of cancer such as oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. Diets high in fruits and vegetables may have a protective effect against many cancers. Conversely, excess consumption of red and preserved meat may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Diets high in fruits and vegetables may have a protective effect against many cancers. Conversely, excess consumption of red and preserved meat may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Healthy eating habits that prevent the development of diet-associated cancers will also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Healthy eating habits that prevent the development of diet-associated cancers will also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Keep a healthy weight. Keep a healthy weight. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy- dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fibre, or high in fat) Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy- dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fibre, or high in fat) Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, and pulses such as beans Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, and pulses such as beans

Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium) Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium) Don’t use supplements to protect against cancer Don’t use supplements to protect against cancer

Alcohol Alcohol abuse has a major impact on public health. It is ranked as the fifth leading risk factor for premature death and disability in the world. Alcohol abuse has a major impact on public health. It is ranked as the fifth leading risk factor for premature death and disability in the world. Drinking moderately is key in reducing cancer risk. However, trends indicate an increase in alcohol consumption in recent decades, mostly in developing countries. Drinking moderately is key in reducing cancer risk. However, trends indicate an increase in alcohol consumption in recent decades, mostly in developing countries.

Research has indicated that men who have 2 alcoholic drinks/ day and women who have 1 already have an increased chance of developing certain cancers. The more alcohol a person consumes, the higher the risk. Furthermore, risks due to alcohol use also vary depending the type of cancer. The strongest association is found between alcohol and mouth, oesophageal, laryngeal, pharyngeal, breast and liver cancers. People who drink heavily in combination with smoking are even at higher risk for most of these cancers. Research has indicated that men who have 2 alcoholic drinks/ day and women who have 1 already have an increased chance of developing certain cancers. The more alcohol a person consumes, the higher the risk. Furthermore, risks due to alcohol use also vary depending the type of cancer. The strongest association is found between alcohol and mouth, oesophageal, laryngeal, pharyngeal, breast and liver cancers. People who drink heavily in combination with smoking are even at higher risk for most of these cancers.

Drink in moderation! Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink is an effective cancer prevention measure.

Physical inactivity Regular physical activity and the maintenance of a healthy body weight, along with a healthy diet, will considerably reduce cancer risk. Regular physical activity and the maintenance of a healthy body weight, along with a healthy diet, will considerably reduce cancer risk. 30 minutes of physical activity per day is necessary to reduce your risk of cancer. 30 minutes of physical activity per day is necessary to reduce your risk of cancer.

Sun exposure Excessive exposure to UV radiation (either from the sun or from artificial sources such as sun beds) is associated with sunburn, accelerated skin aging and different types of skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Excessive exposure to UV radiation (either from the sun or from artificial sources such as sun beds) is associated with sunburn, accelerated skin aging and different types of skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Between 50 and 90% of skin cancers are caused by excessive UV exposure. Between 50 and 90% of skin cancers are caused by excessive UV exposure. UV-emitting tanning devices are now also classified as carcinogenic to humans based on their association with skin and ocular melanoma cancers UV-emitting tanning devices are now also classified as carcinogenic to humans based on their association with skin and ocular melanoma cancers

Avoid excessive sun exposure. Avoid excessive sun exposure. Use sunscreens and protective clothing Use sunscreens and protective clothing

Infections Infectious agents are responsible for almost 22% of cancer deaths in the developing world and 6% in industrialized countries. Infectious agents are responsible for almost 22% of cancer deaths in the developing world and 6% in industrialized countries. Viral hepatitis B and C cause cancer of the liver; human papilloma virus infection causes cervical cancer; the bacterium Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of stomach cancer. In some countries the parasitic infection schistosomiasis increases the risk of bladder cancer and in other countries the liver fluke increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma of the bile ducts. Viral hepatitis B and C cause cancer of the liver; human papilloma virus infection causes cervical cancer; the bacterium Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of stomach cancer. In some countries the parasitic infection schistosomiasis increases the risk of bladder cancer and in other countries the liver fluke increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma of the bile ducts.

Preventive measures include vaccination and prevention of infection and infestation. Preventive measures include vaccination and prevention of infection and infestation.

Environmental carcinogens Environmental pollution of air, water and soil with carcinogenic chemicals accounts for 1–4% of all cancers (IARC/WHO, 2003). Environmental pollution of air, water and soil with carcinogenic chemicals accounts for 1–4% of all cancers (IARC/WHO, 2003). Exposure to carcinogenic chemicals in the environment can occur through drinking water or pollution of indoor and ambient air. Exposure to carcinogens also occurs via the contamination of food by chemicals, such as aflatoxins or dioxins. Exposure to carcinogenic chemicals in the environment can occur through drinking water or pollution of indoor and ambient air. Exposure to carcinogens also occurs via the contamination of food by chemicals, such as aflatoxins or dioxins. Indoor air pollution from coal fires doubles the risk of lung cancer, particularly among non-smoking women. Worldwide, indoor air pollution from domestic coal fires is responsible for approximately 1.5% of all lung cancer deaths. Indoor air pollution from coal fires doubles the risk of lung cancer, particularly among non-smoking women. Worldwide, indoor air pollution from domestic coal fires is responsible for approximately 1.5% of all lung cancer deaths.

How to prevent cancer Avoid tobacco Avoid tobacco Eat healthy Eat healthy Avoid alcohol Avoid alcohol Exercise Exercise Protect yourself from the sun Protect yourself from the sun Vaccinate Vaccinate Avoid pollution Avoid pollution