By now, you are probably aware that cancer is a leading cause of death around the world. The number of diagnosed new cancer cases, as well as deaths from cancer, is, unfortunately, growing. For example, in 2018 alone, 1,735,350 new cases of cancer were diagnosed while 609,640 people died of cancer in the same year in the US. If you’re wondering “what are the causes of cancer?” and “can cancer be prevented?”, we’ll answer these questions and more below.
The big question
Can cancer be prevented? Put simply, some cancers have more possibility of being prevented, others don’t. Although some cancers cannot be avoided, early detection can lead to their treatment and cure. You may ask, what about patients in late-stage cancer? There is hope for them; with cancer control approaches, cancer progression can be slowed and pain reduced, helping the patient to cope. So there is a solution not only to those seeking to eliminate cancer but also to those diagnosed with cancer.
Smoking and cancer
All cancers caused by tobacco use can be prevented. Research by the American Cancer Society reveals that 19% of all cancers in the US are caused by smoking. These cancers include lung cancer, oral cancer, and laryngeal cancer. Do you regularly use tobacco? Make an attempt to quit today and you will greatly reduce your chances of cancer.
Unhealthy behaviors and cancer
Data from a study conducted by the American Cancer Society shows that 18% of cancers are caused by a combination of physical inactivity, obesity, poor nutrition, and excess consumption of alcohol. Obesity and excess body weight are risk factors for cancer of the colon, esophagus, rectum, pancreas, liver, kidney, endometrium, thyroid, and breast (particularly in the postmenopausal stage). Physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and excess consumption of alcohol are common causes of obesity. Therefore, by quitting alcohol consumption, through exercising and dieting you can greatly reduce the chance of being obese which in turn lowers the likelihood of developing some cancer. For cancer prevention, dieting involves consuming whole grains, 2.5 cups of fruits and vegetables every day, and limiting the intake of processed and red meat.
Sun exposure and cancer
Overexposure to UVR rays is a common cause of all types of skin cancer. Skin cancers include basal, squamous cell, and melanoma cancers. Some of these skin cancers can be prevented by avoiding exposure to the sun as well as by avoiding artificial sources of URV such as tanning beds. While it is impossible to always avoid exposure to direct sun, there are protective measures you can take: put on sunglasses, a shirt and pants to adequately cover exposed body parts, wear a hat with a wide brim, and wear sunscreen.
Infectious agents and cancer
Some cancers are caused by infectious agents such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), human papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). These cancers can be prevented through vaccination, behavioral changes, and treatment of the infection.
HPV is the most common infectious agent and if caution is not taken, it might lead to cervical or dysplastic cancer. As a control strategy, the FDA has approved three vaccines for the prevention of cancers caused by HPV. These vaccines are Gardasil* for cervical cancer prevention, Gardasil*9 for prevention of anal cancer and genital warts, and Cervarix* for sexually active women under 25 years. A clinician will determine the most effective vaccine for you upon your hospital visitation.
Secondary prevention of cancer
All the above precautions do not make you immune to cancer. Even if you have no visible symptoms of cancer, you need screening! Screening can help in preventing cervical and colorectal cancers by detecting precancerous lesions and removing them. Screening also helps detect some cancers early when it is easier to successfully treat them. When you go for screening, you lower the risk of colon, breast, prostate, cervix, and lung cancers. Research shows that 3% to 35% of deaths caused by cancer can be avoided through screening. For even better results, you need routine screening. Gone are the days screening was thought to be for a few in the society. As you make an attempt to adjust your lifestyle factors, consider screening equally important in reducing the chances of cancer.
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