Prevention of Cancer
Prevention of Cancer:
Methods of prevention of Cancer mentioned in various sources
includes those listed below.
This prevention information is gathered from various sources,
and may be inaccurate or incomplete.
None of these methods guarantee prevention of Cancer.
- Prevention depends on the specific type of cancer but some methods are common
- Avoid sunlight exposure - to prevent skin cancer and melanoma.
- Eat a healthy diet
- Regular checkups at the doctor
- Regular screening for common cancers - early detection of any abnormality can lead to prevention of severe cancers and easier treatment.
- Screening mammogram
- Pap smear
- Colorectal screening tests
Unlabeled Medications to Prevent Cancer:
Some of the unlabeled medications in the possible prevention of Cancer may include:
- Advicor - reduces risk of some cancers
Alternative Preventions for Cancer
Some of the measures that have been mentioned as possibly preventative for Cancer may include those below.
Note that some of these claims of prevention may not be correct, and may not prevent Cancer.
Medical news about treatments for Cancer
These medical news articles may be relevant to Cancer treatment:
Medications in Research in Prevention of Cancer
Some medications used in the research into prevention of Cancer include:
Clinical Trials for Cancer
Some of the clinical trials for Cancer include:
Treatments for Cancer
Treatments to consider for Cancer may include:
Prevention of Cancer:
Cancer: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Many cases of cancer can be prevented by not using tobacco products,
avoiding the harmful rays of the sun, and choosing foods with less fat and
more fiber. In addition, regular checkups and self-exams can reveal cancer
at an early stage when treatment is likely to be effective. (Source: excerpt from Cancer: NWHIC)
Cancer Facts for People Over 50 - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)
Before recommending a screening test, your doctor will consider
your age, medical history, general health, family history, and
lifestyle. You may want to discuss your concerns or questions with
your doctor, so that together you can weigh the pros and cons and
make an informed decision about whether to have a screening test. If
you are 50 or older, the following are some of the cancer screening
tests that you and your doctor should consider:
Mammogram. A woman's risk of breast cancer increases with
age; about 80 % of breast cancers occur in women over age 50. A
mammogram is a special x-ray of the breast that often can find
cancers that are too small for a woman or her doctor to feel. The
National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommends that women in their 40s
or older have a screening mammogram on a regular basis, every 1 to 2
years.
Clinical Breast Exam. During a clinical breast exam, the
doctor or other health care professional checks the breasts and
underarms for lumps or other changes that could be a sign of breast
cancer.
Fecal Occult Blood Test. Colorectal cancer is the third
leading cause of death from cancer in the U.S. The risk of
developing colorectal cancer rises after age 50. It is common in
both men and women. Studies show that a fecal occult blood test
every 1 or 2 years in people between the ages of 50 and 80 decreases
the number of deaths due to colorectal cancer. For this test, stool
samples are applied to special cards, which are examined in a lab
for occult (hidden) blood.
Sigmoidoscopy. A doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a
light (sigmoidoscope) to look inside the colon and rectum for
growths or abnormal areas. Fewer people may die of colorectal cancer
if they have regular screening by sigmoidoscopy after age 50.
Pap Test. The risk of cancer of the cervix (the lower,
narrow part of the uterus or womb) increases with age. Most invasive
cancers of the cervix can be prevented if women have Pap tests and
pelvic exams regularly. Older women should continue to have regular
Pap tests and pelvic exams. The doctor uses a wooden scraper or a
small brush to collect a sample of cells from the cervix and upper
vagina. The cells are sent to a lab to check for abnormalities.
Pelvic Exam. In a pelvic exam, the doctor checks the
uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum for
any changes in their shape or size. During a pelvic exam, an
instrument called a speculum is used to widen the vagina so that the
upper part of the vagina and the cervix can be seen.
Digital Rectal Exam. Prostate cancer is the most common
cancer in American men - especially older men. More than 80 % of
prostate cancers occur in men 65 and older. Research is being done
to find the most reliable screening test for prostate cancer.
Scientists at the NCI are studying the value of digital rectal exam
and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in reducing the number of deaths
caused by prostate cancer. For a digital rectal exam, the doctor
inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and feels the prostate gland
for bumps or abnormal areas.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). This test measures the
amount of PSA in the blood-stream. Higher-than-average amounts of
PSA may indicate the presence of prostate cancer cells. However, PSA
levels also may be high in men who have noncancerous prostate
conditions. Scientists are studying ways to improve the validity of
the PSA test.
Skin Exam. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer
in the United States. Routine examination of the skin increases the
chance of finding skin cancer early.
A positive result on any of these tests doesn't mean that you
have cancer. You may need more tests. A biopsy is the only sure way
to know whether the problem is cancer. In this test, a sample of
tissue is removed from the abnormal area and examined under a
microscope to check for cancer cells. (Source: excerpt from Cancer Facts for People Over 50 - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
Cancer Facts for People Over 50 - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)
Although your chances of getting cancer increase after age 50,
there are things that you can do to prevent it. About 80 % of all
cancers are related to the use of tobacco products, to what we eat
and drink, or to a lesser extent to exposure to radiation or
cancer-causing agents in the environment and the workplace. Many
risk factors can be avoided:
Do not use tobacco products. Tobacco causes cancer. In fact,
smoking tobacco, using smokeless tobacco, and being exposed
regularly to involuntary tobacco smoke are responsible for one-third
of all cancer deaths in the U.S. each year.
Avoid the harmful rays of the sun. Ultraviolet radiation from
the sun and from other sources - such as sunlamps and tanning booths
- damages your skin and can cause skin cancer.
Choose foods with less fat and more fiber. Your choice of foods
may affect your chance of developing cancer. Evidence points to a
link between a high-fat diet and cancers of the breast, colon,
uterus, and prostate. Being seriously overweight appears to be
linked to cancers of the prostate, pancreas, uterus, colon, and
ovary and to breast cancer in older women. On the other hand, you
may be able to reduce your cancer risk by making some simple food
choices. Try to eat a varied, well-balanced diet that includes
generous amounts of foods that are high in fiber, vitamins, and
minerals. Aim for at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each
day. At the same time, try to cut down on fatty foods.
If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation - not more than one or
two drinks a day. Drinking large amounts of alcohol increases the
risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and larynx. People
who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol have an especially high risk
of getting these cancers. (Source: excerpt from Cancer Facts for People Over 50 - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
Cancer Treatment: Book Excerpts
Prevention Claims: Cancer
Information on prevention of Cancer comes from many sources.
There are some sources that claim preventive benefits
for many different diseases for various products.
We may present such information
in the hope that it may be useful,
however, in some cases claims of Cancer prevention may be
dubious, invalid, or not recognized in mainstream medicine.
Please discuss any treatment, discontinuation of treatment,
or change of treatment plans with your doctor
or professional medical specialist.
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