Prevention
You can lower your risk of getting many common kinds of cancer by making healthy choices. Screening tests can find some cancers early, when treatment works best. Vaccines can help prevent several kinds of cancer. Learn more about how to lower your risk of getting cancer.
Screen Tests
Screening means checking your body for cancer before you have symptoms. Getting screening tests regularly may find breast, cervical and colorectal (colon) cancers early, when treatment is likely to work best. Lung cancer screening is recommended for some people who are at high risk.
Breast Cancer
Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat.
Cervical Cancer
The Pap test can find abnormal cells in the cervix which may turn into cancer. The HPV test looks for the virus (human papilloma virus) that can cause these cell changes. Pap tests also can find cervical cancer early when the chance of being cured is very high.
Colorectal (Colon) Cancer
Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.
Lung Cancer
The USPSTF recommends yearly lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for people who have a history of heavy smoking and smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years and are between 50 and 80 years old.
Vaccines
Vaccines also help lower cancer risk. The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and several other kinds of cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine can help lower liver cancer risk.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
Some cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common sexually transmitted infection. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause these cancers.
- HPV vaccination is recommended for pre-teens aged 11 to 12 years, but can be given starting at age 9.
- HPV vaccine is also recommended for everyone through age 26 years, if they are not vaccinated already.
- HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their doctor about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination. HPV vaccination in this age range provides less benefit, as more people have already been exposed to HPV.
HPV vaccination prevents new HPV infections, but does not treat existing infections or diseases. This is why the HPV vaccine works best when given before any exposure to HPV.
HPV vaccination prevents new HPV infections, but does not treat existing infections or diseases. This is why the HPV vaccine works best when given before any exposure to HPV.
The HPV vaccine does not substitute for routine cervical cancer screening tests (Pap and HPV tests) according to recommended screening guidelines.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It ranges in severity from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks (acute), to a serious long-term (chronic) illness that can lead to liver disease or liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is available for all age groups to prevent HBV infection.
Healthy Choices
You can reduce your risk of getting cancer by making healthy choices like keeping a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting the amount of alcohol you drink and protecting your skin.
Avoiding Tobacco and Cigarette Smoking
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and cigarette smoking causes almost all cases. Compared to nonsmokers, current smokers are about 25 times more likely to die from lung cancer. Smoking causes about 80% and 90% of lung cancer deaths. Smoking also causes cancer of the mouth and throat, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, voice box (larynx), trachea, bronchus, kidney and pelvis, urinary bladder, cervix and causes acute myeloid leukemia.
Secondhand Smoke
Adults who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing lung cancer by 20% to 30%. Concentrations of many cancer-causing and toxic chemicals are higher in secondhand smoke than in the smoke inhaled by smokers.
Protecting Your Skin
Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and tanning beds appears to be the most important environmental factor involved with developing skin cancer. To help prevent skin cancer while still having fun outdoors, protect yourself by seeking shade, applying sunscreen and wearing sun-protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses.
Limiting Alcohol Intake
Studies around the world have shown that drinking alcohol regularly increases the risk of getting mouth, voice box and throat cancers.
A large number of studies provide strong evidence that drinking alcohol is a risk factor for primary liver cancer and more than 100 studies have found an increased risk of breast cancer with increasing alcohol intake. The link between alcohol consumption and colorectal (colon) cancer has been reported in more than 50 studies.
Keeping A Healthy Weight
Research has shown that being overweight raises a person's risk of getting some cancers, including endometrial (uterine), breast in postmenopausal women and colorectal cancers. Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29 and obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher. Learn how to choose a healthy diet at Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight and read about exercise at Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight.
Getting Tested for Hepatitis C
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, which is most often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common type of viral hepatitis is Hepatitis C. Over time, chronic Hepatitis C can lead to serious liver problems including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. CDC recommends that most adults get tested for Hepatitis C.