HealthCare >> Diseases & Conditions>> Cancer >> Can Cancer be Prevented?

Though it would be highly desirable, but unfortunately so far there has been no vaccine/medicine which can make us immune to cancer. At the same time though, a lot of the cancers have fairly well known risk factors and taking precautions against them can have a considerable influence on cancer development.

Most significant of all the preventive measures is to STOP SMOKING. Smoking not only decreases the Lung cancer risk (by 8-10 times) but also decreases the risk of Oral cancer (upto 6 times), cancer of the Oropharynx, Stomach and even Breast cancer. Smoking includes passive smoking also, that is the smoke you inhale while others around you are smoking. As a matter of fact, passive smoking is almost equally if not more dangerous.

Chewing betel nuts, tobacco and paan is very common in India and is responsible for the very high incidence of Oral cavity cancer in this part of the world. Avoiding these habits has a very significant effect in preventing the cancer of the oral cavity.

Diets high in fibre have a protective value against the cancers of the large intestine. One should take plenty of fresh fruits, cereals and vegetables. Highly refined or processed foods, like polished rice, canned foods.

Skin Cancers are very common in people with a fair/white skin. Direct exposure to the sunlight/Ultra violet light greatly increases the risk of cancer development. Recent data suggests that precautions against it should be taken early in life, that is during the teens and early youth rather than later. Use of sunscreens, covering clothes and wide brimmed hats, all help in reducing the risk of skin cancer.

There is some evidence to suggest that Breast-feeding may have a protective effect against Breast cancer.

Another significant predisposing factor to cancer is long-standing ulcers or chronic irritation, e.g. lesions like, chronic leg ulcers, ill fitting dentures, long-standing gallstones, etc.

There are a group of conditions called 'Premalignant Lesions’ (conditions which not cancerous themselves, but which, over a period of time may actually change to/lead to cancer). Conditions like certain benign tumors of Thyroid, Ovaries, and lesions like Leukoplakia; Polyps, etc. are all premalignant conditions. Appropriate measures to treat such lesions can prevent cancerous transformation in them.

Cancer | Factors predisposing to cancer