Cancer Prevention

Cancer Prevention (pronunciation: /ˈkænsər prɪˈvɛnʃən/) refers to the measures taken to lower the chances of getting cancer. In 2020, more than 2 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the United States alone. Many of these cases could have been prevented by applying the knowledge we already have about cancer prevention.

Etymology

The term "Cancer Prevention" is derived from the Latin cancer meaning "crab" or "creeping ulcer" and the Latin praeventio meaning "preventing or hindering".

Types of Cancer Prevention

There are two main types of cancer prevention: primary and secondary.

Primary Prevention is aimed at preventing the onset of cancer. It involves lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, limiting alcohol intake, avoiding tobacco, protecting against sun exposure, and getting vaccinated against certain viruses like HPV and Hepatitis B.

Secondary Prevention involves detecting and treating existing cancer before it spreads to other parts of the body. This can be achieved through regular screenings and check-ups that can help detect cancer at an early stage when it's more likely to be treatable.

Related Terms

Carcinogen: A substance or agent that can cause cells to become cancerous by altering their genetic structure so that they multiply continuously and become malignant.

Oncology: The study of cancer and tumors.

Tumor: An abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function.

Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from the place where they first formed to another part of the body.

Chemoprevention: The use of substances to prevent the development or progression of cancer.

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Cancer Prevention