How Can I Reduce My Cancer Risk?

There was a very nice update this month from the Yale Cancer Center (http://yalecancercenter.org)
about reducing cancer risks. Patients may seek genetic counseling based on a clustering of cancers in their family. Only about 10% of cancers are due to a hereditary cause; about 50% of cancers are preventable through lifestyle modifications. Clusters in families may be due to shared lifestyle and environmental factors.

Tobacco use increases the risk in many, many types of cancer. This includes cigarette, cigar, pipe, chewing tobacco and second-hand smoke. The National Cancer Institute has a free information service with smoking cessation counselors available to answer questions (1-877-448-7848). Another environmental issue is sun and tanning bed exposure: sun protection should be used year-round.

Obesity may account for about 14% of cancer deaths in men and about 20% in women. There is increasing evidence that decreased physical activity increases the risk of a number of cancers and this effect is independent of body weight. There is also some indication that physical activity may be also associated with a lower risk of recurrence.

Excessive alcohol use has been shown to increase the risk of multiple cancers. There are data to suggest that even moderate alcohol use may increase cancer risk, off-setting the potential benefits of decreased heart disease risk.

About 17% of all cancers are due to infections. Known viruses that cause cancers include HPV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. Most of these infections are spread through sexual contact. Vaccines are available for HPV and Hepatitis B.

Many people are unaware of these modifiable risk factors. Lifestyle changes can lessen the future risk of developing cancer and help prevent a recurrence.