Health experts worldwide confirm that a significant portion of cancer cases, up to 40%, could be prevented through increased awareness and adopting healthier lifestyle choices. This includes avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, and undergoing regular screenings. These steps offer a powerful defense against the disease, according to recent findings and expert recommendations.[nowtoronto+2]
Lifestyle Choices Offer Strong Protection
Many leading health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Canadian Cancer Society, and the American Cancer Society (ACS), emphasize that lifestyle factors play a crucial role in cancer prevention. Around four in ten cancer cases are preventable through healthy living, according to Elizabeth Holmes, Director of Health Policy at the Canadian Cancer Society.A global study published recently in Nature Medicine found that approximately 37% of new cancer cases recorded worldwide in 2022, totaling about 7.1 million cases, were linked to preventable causes.[nowtoronto+4]
The most impactful change individuals can make is to avoid tobacco use. Smoking is identified as the number one preventable risk factor for cancer, contributing to 20% of all cancers and 30% of all cancer deaths.Even exposure to secondhand smoke increases cancer risk.Beyond tobacco, maintaining a healthy body weight is critical. Excess body weight ranks as the second-most preventable cause of cancer development, linked to about 7.6% of cases and contributing to cancers of the stomach, endometrium, esophagus, and kidney.[cancerresearch+4]
Daily Habits Make a Difference
Regular physical activity also significantly reduces cancer risk. Being physically active helps the body regulate hormones, manage weight, and strengthens the immune system.Physical inactivity was linked to 3.1% of cancer cases in one study.Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week.[aicr+2]
A healthy diet is another cornerstone of prevention. This means eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.Limiting "fast foods" and other processed foods high in fat, starches, or sugars helps control calorie intake and maintain a healthy weight.Reducing consumption of red meat to no more than 12-18 ounces per week and avoiding processed meats can also lower the risk of colorectal cancer.Limiting sugar-sweetened drinks and opting for water or unsweetened beverages is also advised.[cancersupportcommunity+5]
Alcohol consumption is a Group 1 carcinogen and is causally linked to at least seven types of cancer, including those of the esophagus, liver, colorectum, and breast.For cancer prevention, experts suggest it is best not to drink alcohol.Protecting skin from the sun is crucial for preventing skin cancer, one of the most common and preventable cancers.This includes limiting sun exposure between 10 AM and 4 PM, seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and using broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Tanning beds should be avoided.[who+3]
The Power of Early Detection and Screening
Beyond lifestyle, awareness of early warning signs and participation in recommended cancer screenings are vital. Early detection dramatically improves treatment outcomes and survival rates.For example, almost all women with breast cancer survive for five years or more if diagnosed at the earliest stage, but this drops to about three in ten women when diagnosed at the most advanced stage.Similarly, more than nine in ten people with bowel cancer survive for five years or more with early diagnosis, compared to one in ten at advanced stages.[rgcirc+4]
Vaccinations also play a role in prevention. Vaccines against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can prevent certain cancers, such as cervical and liver cancer.[who+3]
Allison Steinberg, an oncology nurse and strategic director of cancer prevention and early detection for the Prevent Cancer Foundation, noted, "There are so many things people can do to prevent cancer."Aamir Malik from PfizerForAll highlighted that "One of the most powerful tools we have is early detection. Yet 64 million Americans are overdue for routine cancer screenings. Not because they don't care. Often, they don't know where to start."Efforts are ongoing to remove barriers and make the first step towards screening easier for individuals.[healthline+2]
These collective efforts in awareness, lifestyle adjustments, and early detection empower individuals to take proactive steps against cancer, significantly impacting global health outcomes.
