About-cancer/causes-prevention/patient-prevention-overview-pdq

Cancer Prevention Overview (PDQ®)–Patient Versio

What is Prevention?

Cancer prevention is action taken to lower the chance of getting cancer. In 2019, more than 1.7 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States. In addition to the physical problems and emotional distress caused by cancer, the high costs of care are also a burden to patients, their families, and to the public. By preventing cancer, the number of new cases of cancer is lowered. Hopefully, this will reduce the burden of cancer and lower the number of deaths caused by cancer.

Cancer is not a single disease but a group of related diseases. Many things in our genes, our lifestyle, and the environment around us may increase or decrease our risk of getting cancer.

Scientists are studying many different ways to help prevent cancer, including the following:

• Ways to avoid or control things known to cause cancer.
• Changes in diet and lifestyle.
• Finding precancerous conditions early. Precancerous conditions are conditions that may become cancer.
• Chemoprevention (medicines to treat a precancerous condition or to keep cancer from starting).
• Risk-reducing surgery.

Carcinogenesis

KEY POINTS

• Carcinogenesis is the process in which normal cells turn into cancer cells.
• Changes (mutations) in genes occur during carcinogenesis.

Carcinogenesis is the process in which normal cells turn into cancer cells.

Carcinogenesis is the series of steps that take place as a normal cell becomes a cancer cell. Cells are the smallest units of the body and they make up the body’s tissues. Each cell contains genes that guide the way the body grows, develops, and repairs itself. There are many genes that control whether a cell lives or dies, divides (multiplies), or takes on special functions, such as becoming a nerve cell or a muscle cell.

Changes (mutations) in genes occur during carcinogenesis.

Changes (mutations) in genes can cause normal controls in cells to break down. When this happens, cells do not die when they should and new cells are produced when the body does not need them. The buildup of extra cells may cause a mass (tumor) to form.

Tumors can be benign or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumor cells invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumor cells do not invade nearby tissues or spread.

Risk Factors

KEY POINTS

• Factors That are Known to Increase the Risk of Cancer

• Cigarette Smoking and Tobacco Use
• Infections
• Radiation
• Immunosuppressive Medicines After Organ Transplant

• Factors That May Affect the Risk of Cancer

• Diet
• Alcohol
• Physical Activity
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Environmental Risk Factors