Cancer Prevention

How many different types of cancer are there?

There are more than 200 different types of cancer that can develop in the body. There are over 60 different organs in the body. Each organ is made up of several different types of cells. Cancer can develop in any one of these organs. The most common types of cancer are breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.

What are the risk factors for cancer development?

Research has shown that there are certain risk factors that may increase a person’s chances of developing cancer. Some risk factors might be able to be avoided. Limiting your exposure where you can lower your risk of developing certain cancers. These risk factors include:

• Age
• Alcohol
• Cancer-causing substances
• Chronic inflammation
• Poor diet
• Hormones
• Immunosuppression
• Infectious agents
• Obesity
• Radiation
• Sunlight
• Tobacco
• Exposure to chemicals or other substances
• Family history

What is cancer prevention?

Cancer prevention is pre-emptive action taken in an effort to lower the risk of getting cancer. Cancer is not a single disease but a group of related diseases that can be caused by many different factors. Our genes, lifestyle, and the environment around us can increase the risk of getting cancer. Some risks are avoidable and some prevention methods can be followed to lessen the risk of developing cancer. Different ways to help prevent cancer include screening for cervical, colorectal, and breast cancers to help find these diseases at an early stage. Vaccines (shots) can also help lower the risk for developing cancer risk for most cervical cancers and several other kinds of cancer. Lifestyle changes like avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol use, protecting your skin from the sun and avoiding indoor tanning, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, keeping a healthy weight, and being physically active can also help in preventing cancer.