Preventing Preventing cancercancer

WHAT WHAT IIS CAS CANCERNCER?? Cancer is not a single disease but a group of over Cancer is not a single disease but a group of over

100 different disease100 different diseases s chracterizedchracterized b by abnormal y abnormal cell growth and replication. cell growth and replication.

Normally,cell sgrow and are replaced in an orderly Normally,cell sgrow and are replaced in an orderly manner. Enough new cells grow to replace the manner. Enough new cells grow to replace the ones that are worn out and iniured. ones that are worn out and iniured.

Cancer cells lackCancer cells lack controls to stop the growth controls to stop the growth process and continue to grow and multiply without process and continue to grow and multiply without restraintrestraint..

This loss of control of cell growth may be due to a This loss of control of cell growth may be due to a variety of factors. Ultraviolet radiation from variety of factors. Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, tobacco smoke, viral infections, diet, and sunlight, tobacco smoke, viral infections, diet, and chemicals in food and the environment all have chemicals in food and the environment all have been implicated. been implicated.

What are cancers?What are cancers?

Primary risk factors for Primary risk factors for cancer are:cancer are:

Tobacco useTobacco use Sun overexposureSun overexposure DietDiet InactivityInactivity ObesityObesity

Statistic :Statistic : 30% of Cancer patients are 30% of Cancer patients are

smokers, if you are a non smokers, if you are a non smoker, then risk of cancer smoker, then risk of cancer will be reduced by 30% will be reduced by 30%

15% of Cancer patients are 15% of Cancer patients are due to hereditary, if your due to hereditary, if your family line does not have family line does not have any cancer history, then risk any cancer history, then risk of cancer is further reduced of cancer is further reduced by 15%.by 15%.

Another 30% of Cancer Another 30% of Cancer patients are due to poor patients are due to poor dietary habits. dietary habits.

So it depends on you, you So it depends on you, you can further reduce the risk can further reduce the risk of cancer by another 30% of cancer by another 30% by having good dietary by having good dietary habit. habit.

One third of EU citizens are smokers

TobTobaacco Usecco Use This includes cigarettesThis includes cigarettes, , pipes,cigarss, nuff,and pipes,cigarss, nuff,and

chewing tobacco.Tobaccochewing tobacco.Tobacco containscontains many many carcinogenscarcinogens that increasethat increase the risk of developingthe risk of developing several types of cancersseveral types of cancers

FrequentFrequent exposureexposure to toxins ingested from to toxins ingested from tobacco products weakens the immune system tobacco products weakens the immune system and decreaset she body's ability to cleanse it self and decreaset she body's ability to cleanse it self of precancerous cells. of precancerous cells.

In addition, when a smoker is exposed to other In addition, when a smoker is exposed to other carcinogenst, here seems to be a synergistic carcinogenst, here seems to be a synergistic effect that multiplies cancer rates beyond what effect that multiplies cancer rates beyond what would be expected from the effect of each would be expected from the effect of each carcinogen alone. carcinogen alone. ((smoking combined with the smoking combined with the use of alcohol greatly increaset she risk of use of alcohol greatly increaset she risk of cancercancer). ).

TobTobaacco Usecco Use lung cancer, varietylung cancer, variety of oral of oral

cancers,including cancer of the lip, tongue, cancers,including cancer of the lip, tongue, mouth, and throat. mouth, and throat.

Spit tobacco, also known as smokeless Spit tobacco, also known as smokeless tobacco or chews nuffor dip, can cause tobacco or chews nuffor dip, can cause cancer of the mouth and throat after as cancer of the mouth and throat after as little as 3 years of use. little as 3 years of use.

Changes in the oral mucosa are found as Changes in the oral mucosa are found as soon as 7 days after using spit tobacco.soon as 7 days after using spit tobacco.

The good news is that cancers caused by The good news is that cancers caused by tobacco are 100 percent preventable tobacco are 100 percent preventable

Perceived risk of smokingPerceived risk of smoking

Perceived cancer risk of smoking cigarettes

69

9094

8 84

23

2 2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Low Middle High

World Bank income category

Yes, increases cancer risk No risk Can't Say

Sun OverexposureSun Overexposure

Overexposure to the sun is the main Overexposure to the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. cause of skin cancer.

DietDiet

About one-third of cancers can be prevented About one-third of cancers can be prevented by a healthful diet. by a healthful diet.

Certain foods seem to be relate to an Certain foods seem to be relate to an increase or decrease increase or decrease ssome kinds of cancers ome kinds of cancers for instance, a high-fat diet seems to play a for instance, a high-fat diet seems to play a role in the development of breast, colon, and role in the development of breast, colon, and prostate cancersprostate cancers. .

A multitude of studies show that by eating A multitude of studies show that by eating whole-grain foods, fruits, and vegetables and whole-grain foods, fruits, and vegetables and by avoiding high-fat red meat, bacon, and by avoiding high-fat red meat, bacon, and processed meats,processed meats, we could significantly we could significantly reduce our overall cancer riskreduce our overall cancer risk

By making positive choices in your daily diet By making positive choices in your daily diet and following the guidelines listed here,you and following the guidelines listed here,you

can promote good health now and reduce your can promote good health now and reduce your cancer risk in the future.cancer risk in the future.

Decrease fat Decrease fat iintake, particukrfntake, particukrfy y from animal from animal sourcessources

Choose Choose most most of the foodsof the foods you eat you eat from plant from plant sourcessources

Eat craciferEat craciferuuos os vevegteablesgteables Include foods rich in Include foods rich in vvitamins C and E,folic itamins C and E,folic

acid,and beta-caroteinney acid,and beta-caroteinney in yourin your diet each da diet each dayy Consume charcoal-grilled saConsume charcoal-grilled saltedlted and nitrite- and nitrite-

cured, smoked and piccured, smoked and picklkled foods in ed foods in moderationmoderation

Consurnе Consurnе ttreeree to f to four seraings of loour seraings of low-w-f at dairy f at dairy products and other calciproducts and other calciuum-rich foods m-rich foods dailydaily

Include soInclude soyy foods i foods in yon your dietur diet Include good fats in your dietInclude good fats in your diet

InInaactivityctivity Experts speculate that exercise enhanceExperts speculate that exercise enhance

sseeverall health and well-being andverall health and well-being and stimulates stimulates the immune system, which may then the immune system, which may then scavenge abnormal cells more effectively. scavenge abnormal cells more effectively.

Having a strong immune system is a key Having a strong immune system is a key factor in preventing cancer because we are factor in preventing cancer because we are exposed to carcinogens every day. exposed to carcinogens every day.

Researchers also speculate that exercised Researchers also speculate that exercised ecreases the production of some ecreases the production of some reproductive hormones in both men and reproductive hormones in both men and women, decreasingwomen, decreasing t the risk of cancers that he risk of cancers that depend on these hormones to develop, such depend on these hormones to develop, such as breast and prostate cancersas breast and prostate cancers. .

ObesityObesity

Body size matters in cancer Body size matters in cancer risk.Obese individuals,particularly risk.Obese individuals,particularly those who are obese and sedentary those who are obese and sedentary increase their risk of all cancersincrease their risk of all cancers..

Increased risk is due to a Increased risk is due to a combination of factors,combination of factors, including including sedentarysedentary lifelife style,style, greater calorgreater caloric ic intake, greater fat intake, and body intake, greater fat intake, and body fat-mediated hormonal factorsfat-mediated hormonal factors

Perceived risk of being overweightPerceived risk of being overweight

Perceived cancer risk of being overweight

14

50

63

42 41

31

44

9 6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Low Middle High

World Bank income category

Yes, increases cancer risk No risk Can't Say

Top 10 Cancer Fighting Top 10 Cancer Fighting foods foods

Secondary risk factors for Secondary risk factors for cancer home of which are cancer home of which are

controllable,controllable, include:include: ExcessivExcessivee alcohol alcohol

consumptionconsumption Exposure to home Exposure to home vviral iral

infectionsinfections Exposure to radiation,Exposure to radiation,

workplace hazards and workplace hazards and certain chemicalscertain chemicals

Excessive alcohol Excessive alcohol consumption increasesconsumption increases t the he

risk of several risk of several ccancers.ancers. Esophageal Esophageal aand liver cancers occur more nd liver cancers occur more

frequently among heafrequently among heavyvy drinkers of drinkers of aalcohol, lcohol, especially when the drinking is especially when the drinking is accompanied by smoking cigarettes or accompanied by smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco. chewing tobacco.

Coupled with poor diet, alcohol increases Coupled with poor diet, alcohol increases the risk of developing colon cancer because the risk of developing colon cancer because it interferes with folic acid metabolism. it interferes with folic acid metabolism.

Studies have also shown an increased risk Studies have also shown an increased risk of breast cancer in women who regularly of breast cancer in women who regularly consume more than three alcoholic drinks consume more than three alcoholic drinks per week.per week.

Exposure to Some VirExposure to Some Viraal l InfectionsInfections

Some viral infections can initiate cellular Some viral infections can initiate cellular damage that leads to cancer. damage that leads to cancer. (( hepatitis B hepatitis B virus is linked to liver cancer,virus is linked to liver cancer, human human papilloma virus (HPpapilloma virus (HPV)V) is linked to cervical is linked to cervical ccancer and human immunodeficiency ancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is linked to Kaposi's sarcomavirus (HIV) is linked to Kaposi's sarcoma. .

Risk of exposure to these infections can Risk of exposure to these infections can be reduced by behavioral changesbe reduced by behavioral changes. . ((condom used condom used dduring sexuring sex))

Perceived risk of virusesPerceived risk of viruses

Perceived cancer risk from infection with viruses or bacteria

39

70

57

22 23

3240

711

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Low Middle High

World Bank income category

Yes, increases cancer risk No risk Can't Say

Perceived risk of stressPerceived risk of stress

Perceived cancer risk from being stressed

16

59 57

40

3035

44

117

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Low Middle High

World Bank income category

Yes, increases cancer risk No risk Can't Say

Exposure to RExposure to Raadidiaation, tion, WorkplWorkplaace Hce Haazzaards, rds, aand nd

CertCertaain Chemicin Chemicaalsls Avoid excessive exposure to ionizing radiation. Avoid excessive exposure to ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation includes X rays, radon, and Ionizing radiation includes X rays, radon, and

UV radiation. UV radiation. While most medical X rayse mit low-dose While most medical X rayse mit low-dose

radiation,radiation, it is still wise to use protective it is still wise to use protective shields to cover body areas not being X rayed. shields to cover body areas not being X rayed.

There is also a potential problem of radioactive There is also a potential problem of radioactive radon gas in the home in certain areas of the radon gas in the home in certain areas of the country. country.

You can buy an inexpensive radon detector to You can buy an inexpensive radon detector to test for radon,which increasestest for radon,which increases t the risk for lung he risk for lung cancer, especially in cigarettes mokerscancer, especially in cigarettes mokers. .

Top 10 Ways to Cut Risk of Top 10 Ways to Cut Risk of CancerCancer

Screening Guidelines for Screening Guidelines for Early Detection of CancerEarly Detection of Cancer

BreBreaast Cst Caancerncer BreastBreaste ce cancerancer i is the most common cancer in women,but it is s the most common cancer in women,but it is

more curable than lung cancermore curable than lung cancer a and so it ranks as the second nd so it ranks as the second leading cancer killerleading cancer killer

Having had breast cancer before.Having had breast cancer before. Having a sister or mother who had breast cancer, especially if Having a sister or mother who had breast cancer, especially if

she had it before menopause.she had it before menopause. Increased breast density.Increased breast density. A long menstrual history (starting menstruation before age 12 A long menstrual history (starting menstruation before age 12

and/or experiencing menopause after age 50). This exposes the and/or experiencing menopause after age 50). This exposes the body to high estrogen levels longer.body to high estrogen levels longer.

Obesity, especially after menopause (fat cells produce Obesity, especially after menopause (fat cells produce estrogen).estrogen).

Never having a child or having the first child after age 30.Never having a child or having the first child after age 30. Consumption of one or more alcoholic drinks a dayConsumption of one or more alcoholic drinks a day Mammograms are the most important tool for detecting breast Mammograms are the most important tool for detecting breast

cance and a woman should have one annually from the age of cance and a woman should have one annually from the age of 40.40.

The breast selThe breast self-f-exam which previously had been recommended exam which previously had been recommended once a month, is still useful for those at high risk-a personal once a month, is still useful for those at high risk-a personal history of cancer or a closer elative with breast cancerhistory of cancer or a closer elative with breast cancer. .

Colon ond RectColon ond Rectaal Cl Caancerncer A genetic tendency to develop noncancerous polyps in A genetic tendency to develop noncancerous polyps in

the colon, combined with a diet high in animal fat and the colon, combined with a diet high in animal fat and low in fruits and vegetables may cause half, perhapslow in fruits and vegetables may cause half, perhaps allall colon cancers.colon cancers.

Risk factors for colon cancer include:Risk factors for colon cancer include: • • Age. Over 90 percent of cases occur after age 50.Age. Over 90 percent of cases occur after age 50. • • Having a personal or family history of colon cancer, colon Having a personal or family history of colon cancer, colon

polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease.polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease. • • Smoking.Smoking. • • Alcohol consumption.Alcohol consumption. • • Obesity.Obesity. • • A high-fat, low-fiber diet and low consumption of plant foods.A high-fat, low-fiber diet and low consumption of plant foods. • • Sedentary lifestyle.Sedentary lifestyle. Preventive behaviors include not smoking, maintaining a Preventive behaviors include not smoking, maintaining a

healthy weight, eating five to eight servings or more of fruits healthy weight, eating five to eight servings or more of fruits and vegetableds aily, consuming little or no alcohol, and and vegetableds aily, consuming little or no alcohol, and exercising 3 0 minutes or more most days of the week. In exercising 3 0 minutes or more most days of the week. In addition, researchin dicates that low-dose aspirin may have an addition, researchin dicates that low-dose aspirin may have an anti-inflammatory effect.anti-inflammatory effect.

Lung CLung Caancerncer

Lung cancer is a rare diseas except amongs Lung cancer is a rare diseas except amongs mokersmokers. . Exposure to sideExposure to side stream cigarettes moke stream cigarettes moke eecreases the risk for nonsmokers. creases the risk for nonsmokers.

Lung tissue damage and cellular changes that Lung tissue damage and cellular changes that precede lung cancer have been observed in 93 precede lung cancer have been observed in 93 percent of active smokers but in only 6 percent of percent of active smokers but in only 6 percent of exsmokers and 1 percent of nonsmokersexsmokers and 1 percent of nonsmokers. .

If a smoker quits, theseIf a smoker quits, these early early precancerouprecancerous s cecellular changes are llular changes are reversireversible, and the damaged ble, and the damaged bronchial lining often retums to normal.bronchial lining often retums to normal.

If the smoker continues, the abnormal cell growth If the smoker continues, the abnormal cell growth may progress to cancer.may progress to cancer.

ProstProstaate Cte Caancerncer

This is the most common cancer( excluding This is the most common cancer( excluding skin cancer) and the secondle ading cause of skin cancer) and the secondle ading cause of cancer deathsin mencancer deathsin men

Factors that increase risk of prostate cancer Factors that increase risk of prostate cancer in clude:in clude:

• • Age over 50 (risk increases with age)Age over 50 (risk increases with age) • • High-fat dietHigh-fat diet • • African American (incidence is far higher African American (incidence is far higher

than for white men)than for white men) • • Family history of prostate cancerFamily history of prostate cancer

Skin CSkin Caancerncer

Skin cancer accounts Skin cancer accounts for 40 percent of for 40 percent of cancers. Sun cancers. Sun overexposured uring overexposured uring childhood and the childhood and the teen years accounts teen years accounts for over three-fourths for over three-fourths of your lifetime of your lifetime exposure to the sun's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiationultraviolet radiation Risk Factors for Skin Cance

TesticulTesticulaar Cr Caancerncer

It is the most common cancer in young It is the most common cancer in young men between the ages of 15 and 34men between the ages of 15 and 34

Lives could be saved if more testicularLives could be saved if more testicular cancers were detected and treatedcancers were detected and treated early.early.

Men discover most testicular cancers by Men discover most testicular cancers by leaming how to examineleaming how to examine their testicles.their testicles. In In doing this once a month, you can greatly doing this once a month, you can greatly increase the chances of finding a increase the chances of finding a testicular cancere arly if it does occur. All testicular cancere arly if it does occur. All young men should learn and practice the young men should learn and practice the monthly testicular self examinationmonthly testicular self examination..

About one thirdAbout one third of all cancers of all cancers

can be preventedcan be prevented