The best way to prevent metastatic cancer is to detect, treat and remove primary cancers before they spread. For this reason, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that individuals receive routine screening for certain cancers. For patients of certain ages or in high-risk categories, screening examinations may occur at an earlier age or more frequently. Screening tests are available for several cancers, including cancers of the skin, breast, prostate, colorectal and cervix.

Patients can also help prevent metastatic cancer by making the basic lifestyle choices that help prevent primary cancers. These include not using tobacco products, limiting alcohol consumption, getting regular exercise and eating a nutritious diet. However, despite all of these steps, people may still develop metastatic cancer.