Cancer is not always inevitable. In fact, four out of 10 cancer cases in the United States, and nearly half of all cancer deaths, are preventable because they can be attributed to risk factors that can be changed, according to the American Cancer Society.
Many of these cancer risk factors are things we can change ourselves, such as cigarette smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, diet, exposure to the sun, radon in the home that can be mitigated, and certain viral infections – like human papilloma virus (HPV) and hepatitis B – for which vaccines are available.
Smoking cigarettes – the single leading preventable cause of cancer – is associated with 20% of all U.S. cancer cases and almost 30% of cancer-related deaths, says the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Excess body weight, alcohol, poor diet, and physical inactivity collectively are associated with another 20% of U.S. cancer diagnoses, the AACR says.
Other preventable risk factors are environmental, such as pollution and workplace exposure to carcinogens.
Cancer screenings are also crucial, not only for finding cancer early, but also, in some cases, for detecting conditions that could lead to cancer.
→ Top 10 Ways You Can Prevent Cancer
Prevention is part of the core mission of the University of Colorado Cancer Center, Colorado’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, along with research, education, and multidisciplinary care.
The CU Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control Program – led by Stacy Fischer, MD, and Jamie Studts, PhD, both professors of medicine – applies the expertise of behavioral, basic, and clinician scientists to conduct innovative and impactful cancer research that reduces Colorado’s cancer burden.
Prevention also is a key goal of the CU Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE), which works across Colorado to promote risk reduction, screening, and cancer awareness, particularly in high-risk, rural, and underserved communities.
With National Cancer Prevention Month now underway, we asked several CU Cancer Center members this question:
What is something you or someone close to you has done to try to prevent cancer?
Here’s what they said.
James DeGregori, PhD – Interim director of the CU Cancer Center and professor in the CU Anschutz Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics:
I’m a big believer in exercise, which is an easy one, as I like to exercise (mostly running and cycling). So I love it, it relieves stress, AND it reduces the incidence of cancers and other diseases. Win-Win-Win.
Jamie Studts, PhD – co-leader of the CU Cancer Center Cancer Prevention and Control program and professor in the CU Anschutz Division of Medical Oncology:
Prior to moving into a new home, I have the location tested for radon, which is a cause of lung cancer. Because one home was above the Environmental Protection Agency recommendations, I proceeded to have radon mitigation, which virtually eliminated the exposure to this naturally-occurring gas.
Jan Lowery, PhD, MPH – assistant director for dissemination and implementation in the CU Cancer Center COE office and professor at the Colorado School of Public Health:
I am aware of my family history of colorectal cancer and have shared this with my provider. I started screening younger and screen more often.
Tin Tin Su, PhD – co-leader of the CU Cancer Center Molecular and Cellular Oncology program and chair of the CU Boulder Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology:
A family member quit smoking.
Elizabeth Kessler, MD – associate professor in the Division of Medical Oncology:
Regular physical activity is a mainstay for our family, friends, and clinical team in preventing cancer and offering many other health benefits. Additionally, I had many family members recently establish with a primary care clinic in order to undergo regular checkups that focus on healthy behavior change and cancer screenings.
Manali Kamdar, MD – associate professor in the CU Anschutz Division of Hematology:
Staying proactive with cancer prevention through healthy lifestyle choices, recommended screening, and preventive vaccinations has been one of the most important steps.
Urs Weber, MD – assistant professor in the Division of Medical Oncology:
My melanoma colleagues have shamed me into wearing more sunscreen and being more mindful of my sun exposure to prevent skin cancer. Also, we are finding more harmful links between even what we would call moderate alcohol consumption and cancers, especially of the gastrointestinal tract. I was never a big drinker, but I've definitely been more mindful of my own alcohol consumption in light of some of that data.
Linda Cook, PhD – CU Cancer Center associate director, population sciences, and professor at the Colorado School of Public Health:
My husband and I always make time to incorporate physical exercise, preferably outdoors, in our daily schedules.
Christopher Lieu, MD – CU Cancer Center associate director, clinical research, and professor in the Division of Medical Oncology:
Our team (particularly Andi Dwyer) has worked closely with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Fight CRC, and the American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Roundtable to increase screening rates in Colorado. We need to raise awareness about the rising rates of early-onset colorectal cancer.
