Stop Cancer Before It Starts

Reviewed By:
Martin E. Liebling, M.D., FACP

Cancer ranks high on the list of diseases most feared by people everywhere, and with good reason.

At some point in their lives, cancer will affect one out of every two men and one out of every three women, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). It is the second leading cause of death in the United States, after heart disease.

Cancer is the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells within the body. All cells are "programmed" to grow, divide, to perform certain functions and, eventually, to self-destruct. This programmed life cycle gets rid of old, damaged cells to make room for healthy cells.

When something goes wrong in the cell's genetic code, cells may continue to live past their normal lifespan, divide uncontrollably and be unable to perform their programmed function. Their presence can crowd out normal cells and they can spread to other parts of the body.

Understanding what causes cells to malfunction is a key to preventing cancer. Some risk factors that cause cancer simply cannot be prevented. These include having a family history of cancer and advancing age.

However, about 75 percent of cancers are believed to be at least partially related to lifestyle choices, according to the ACS. Changing habits and making healthier choices can help prevent many types of cancers.

Avoiding smoking is perhaps the single greatest step a person can take to reduce cancer risk. Before the introduction of mass-produced cigarettes in the 20^th century, lung cancer was rarely diagnosed. Today, lung cancer is the leading cause of all cancer deaths and smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer, according to the ACS.

Limiting the amount of alcohol can reduce the incidence of cancers of the breast, liver, esophagus, larynx (voice box), pharynx (throat) and mouth. Experts recommend that women consume no more than one alcoholic drink per day, while men consume no more than two drinks.

Meanwhile, failing to slather on generous amounts of sunscreen before heading to the beach can leave the skin unprotected from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, which can cause skin cancer. This is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and it occurs as one of two types. Non-melanoma is by far the most common type. This form rarely spreads beyond the skin.

Melanomas develop from melanocytes, a type of cell located in the top layer of the skin known as the epidermis. Melanocytes are responsible for producing the skin pigment known as melanin. Melanomas generally are considered to be more dangerous than non-melanomas and are more likely to spread. However, they typically are treatable when caught early. Fair-skinned people are at higher risk for developing melanomas than darker-skinned people.

Smoking, drinking too much and sunbathing without sunscreen are behaviors that all increase the risk of cancer. Diet, too, plays an important role in increasing or decreasing the risk of cancer.

The ACS estimates that one-third of cancer deaths can be linked directly to diet and exercise factors. Obesity is linked to some types of cancer, including breast cancer in postmenopausal women and cancer of the colon, endometrium, esophagus and kidneys. Eating the right foods also can help reduce cancer risk. People are especially urged to eat plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and to choose whole grains over refined grains. Eating less red meat and keeping the hand off the salt shaker may also help lower risk.

Baking, poaching and broiling foods are healthier than grilling or frying. Grilling some meats can cause heterocyclic amine compounds to form. These compounds are also found in cigarette smoke. Meanwhile, avoiding frying can help people maintain a healthy weight, which reduces the risk of several types of cancer.

In some cases, increased cancer risk results from simple carelessness. For example, failing to use condoms during sexual activity can leave a person more vulnerable to infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), both of which are risk factors for developing certain types of cancers as well as other diseases.

Regular physical activity is important to all aspects of health, including lowering cancer risk. Besides improving cardiovascular health, moderate exercise performed 30 minutes a day for most days of the week, has been shown to lower cancer risk generally. Studies have even shown that 45-minute sessions may reduce the likelihood of developing breast or colon cancer.

Getting the jump on cancer

While lifestyle changes can reduce a person's risk of cancer, they do not eliminate the risk. Screening exams are designed to catch cancer before it develops or in its earliest stages, when treatment is likely to be more effective.

Some of the common screening exams include:

Pap smear. Collection of a sample of cells from a woman-s cervix and upper vagina. The ACS recommends annual Pap smears about three years after a woman begins to have vaginal intercourse, but no later than 21 years of age. The screening interval may vary to every three years for women over 30 who have had three consecutive normal Pap smears.
Mammogram. X-ray image of the breast. According to the ACS, women at an average risk for breast cancer should have yearly mammograms starting at age 40.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA). A blood test that measures the amount of PSA (a protein produced by the prostate) in the blood. It may be used to detect cancer of the prostate, a gland found only in males. The ACS recommends that men at an average risk for prostate cancer have an annual PSA test beginning at the age of 50. Men at higher risk for prostate cancer should begin at age 45.
Digital rectal examination (DRE). Insertion of a gloved finger into the rectum to feel for anything abnormal. The ACS recommends that men at an average risk for prostate cancer have an annual DRE beginning at the age of 50. Men at higher risk for prostate cancer should begin at age 45. The DRE should be performed with the PSA test for more accurate screening.
Skin inspection. An inspection by a dermatologist for any abnormalities of the skin. An annual skin screening is particularly important in fair-skinned, blue-eyed individuals who are exposed to the sun. It is also important for people with moles or skin abnormalities that have changed.

For colorectal cancer, people can choose from several types of screening tests on different examination schedules. The ACS recommends at least one of the tests listed below, beginning at age 50, for people at average risk of colorectal cancer:

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Laboratory examination of a sample of feces for the presence of blood. It may be used to detect colorectal cancer. FOBT should be performed every year.
Sigmoidoscopy. A flexible lighted instrument (sigmoidoscope) is placed in the rectum and lower colon to detect precancerous and cancerous growths, but it can visualize only a small portion of the colon. It may be used to detect colorectal cancer and is recommended every five years.
Virtual colonoscopy. A CT scanner is used to create multiple images of the colon to search for polyps. It is less invasive than a traditional colonoscopy, but if polyps are identified, a colonoscopy must be performed to remove them. Virtual colonoscopy should be performed every five years.
Colonoscopy. A lighted instrument (colonoscope) is used to examine the colon for precancerous or cancerous growths. More thorough than a sigmoidoscopy, it may be used to detect colorectal cancer. According to the ACS, a person at an average risk of developing colorectal cancer can benefit from having a colonoscopy every 10 years.

Cancer is an often deadly disease diagnosed in 1 million Americans each year. However, making certain lifestyle changes and undergoing regular screenings can help prevent this disease from robbing you of many years of life.