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What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk of Cancer?

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There are many ways to possibly reduce your risk of cancer. The good news is that since 1991, cancer deaths have declined 31%. That is good news, but there were still over 1,785,000 newly diagnosed cancer cases in the US in 2020. According to an American Cancer Society study, at least 42% of these – 750,000 – were potentially preventable. Today is the first day of National Cancer Prevention Month, held every February. This is a good time to assess your health and determine ways you can reduce your risk of cancer.

How can you reduce your risk of cancer?

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are seven tips that anyone can do and at the top of the list is taking charge of your own health. Review these known guidelines and see if you can make changes in your lifestyle.

  1. Limit exposure to toxins: About 90 percent of lung cancer is caused by smoking or by spending time with others who do smoke. Another source for lung cancer is through inhalation of asbestos fibers. Asbestos can also lead to mesothelioma, a deadly disease. This can be through certain occupations, products – even cosmetics – that still contain asbestos. It can also occur through renovations of homes built before 1980. If there is a chance of asbestos in any products, contact an abatement professional. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, but limit your exposure to any toxin.
  2. Eat a healthy diet: Fill your plate with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. Meanwhile, alcohol can increase your chances of getting liver, breast, and colorectal cancers. Eating processed meats can also increase risks of some types of cancer.
  3. Be active and watch your weight: For best results physically and reducing your risk of cancer, have at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity. More is better. Not maintaining a healthy weight can increase the possibility of breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney cancers.
  4. Watch your time in the sun: That includes tanning beds. Use sunscreen of at least an SPF or 30 and reapply generously every two hours. Cover up with dark or bright loosely fitting fabrics when possible. These reflect more ultraviolet radiation. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. the sun is strongest and most dangerous. If possible, stay in the shade.
  5. Utilize the vaccines available: Hepatitis B has a vaccination to lessen the risk of acquiring this disease that can lead to liver cancer. Ask your doctor if this vaccine is right for you. There is also a vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can lead to cervical and genital cancers in addition to squamous cell cancers of the head and neck. This vaccine is geared to both boys and girls aged 11 and 12. There is also a newly approved vaccine, Gardasil 9, for males and females aged 9 to 45.
  6. Stay away from risky behaviors: Don’t share needles as this can result in HIV as well as hepatitis B and hepatitis C – these can heighten the risk of liver cancer. Practice safe sex by limiting sexual partners and use condoms. With many contacts, the chance of acquiring HIV, AIDS, or HPV rises. These diseases can lead to a number of cancers.
  7. Visit your doctor: Pay attention to your body so you can quickly recognize changes. This, plus regular checkups and screenings, can catch many cancers at an early stage which leads to more positive outcomes.

National Cancer Prevention Month: An opportunity to learn and improve our health

Every February is an opportunity to revisit out successes and failures in dealing with all types of cancers. This is an exciting time of progress as researchers make new discoveries and develop new treatments. It’s also a time to think of new ways to involve people in their own healthcare solutions.

To access more information on the statistics from 2020, the American Cancer Society website is a great resource. Below is the latest news on current and future developments to reduce your risk of cancer from the Cancer Network:

  • Over the next century, successful implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) elimination strategy could reduce cervical cancer mortality by almost 99% and save more than 62 million women’s lives.
  • A recent study determined circulating tumor cells were associated with melanoma relapse, suggesting that this form of liquid biopsy could help identify patients who would benefit from adjuvant therapy.
  • According to researchers, when individuals quit smoking it not only stops further damage from accruing, but it also may lead to the reawakening of lung cells that were not damaged by tobacco carcinogens.
  • A new AI system could possibly surpass human experts in the prediction of breast cancer, potentially leading to enhanced screening results and earlier identification of the disease. 
  • Online and digital videos were found to play a key role in cancer education, leading to increased knowledge and interventions, however access for vulnerable populations needs to be improved. 
  • Engaging in the recommended amount of leisure-time physical activity (7.5-15 MET hours/week) was found to be associated with a lower risk for 7 different cancer types.
  • Greater adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) cancer prevention recommendations appeared to be associated with decreased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk for both African Americans and whites.
  • A blood-based screening test, presented at the 2020 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, held from January 23-25, in San Francisco, California, could potentially diagnose multiple cancer types earlier, including gastrointestinal cancers across stages at high sensitivity.

Potential for great progress in cancer prevention

So much good news, but still a huge number of people suffering and dying from cancer. You have read of steps which could prevent, or get an early and more treatable diagnosis. Each one of us has a responsibility to do what we can to stay healthy and to encourage our family and friends. While we cannot prevent every cancer with our due diligence, much can be accomplished.

If you recognized yourself in the seven tips from Mayo Clinic, make a plan to reduce your risk of cancer by changing at least one bad habit or behavior before the 2022 National Cancer Prevention Month.

Record Decline in U.S. Cancer Death Rates

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According to a report by the American Cancer Society, data from 2017-2018 shows a record decline in U.S. cancer death rates – a drop of 2.4%. The year 2016-2017 cancer deaths dropped 2.2%. In general, the death rate has been declining since 1991 – a decline of 31% from 1991 to 2018. Death rates also decreased for prostate, colorectal and breast cancer. This is great news and positive news as we approach National Cancer Month in February. But what is the cause?

Why the decline in U.S. cancer death rates?

Since almost half of the decline is due to one form of cancer, lung cancer, we can point to a decrease in smoking over this time. While this is a large factor, there are also improvements in surgery, diagnostics, new pharmaceuticals, and more targeted radiation that have contributed to the decline. These factors, as well as immunotherapies, have helped decrease the other cancers as well. For those who suffer from lung cancer, including those who suffer from asbestos-related lung cancer, this report should be encouraging.

Dr. Deborah Schrag, chief of population sciences at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute stated, “Both men and women who are diagnosed with lung cancer are surviving longer, and that’s really fantastic news.”  While acknowledging the improvement, Dr. Schrag also commented, “We have a lot of good progress. We should celebrate that, but we shouldn’t declare victory.”

Why not declare victory?

With this steady decline in U.S. cancer death rates, why not declare victory? Cancer is still the second leading cause of death behind heart disease. Cancer led to the deaths of 599,000 Americans in 2018. It is projected there will be 609,000 cancer deaths in 2021. Obviously, there is still much research ahead. However, there are also other factors that won’t be helped by scientific research and high tech treatments. To improve statistics in the following problem areas there will need to be more education, individual awareness of lifestyle and cultural challenges, medical personnel, and state and city planning.

• Though cervical cancer is virtually preventable with medical screenings and the HPV vaccine, 2018 had 4,000 women die from this cancer.

• Black patients’ survival rates are below that of white patients’ for almost all cancers.

• There are geographic differences in death rates, including: statewide detection differences, and areas with societal activities leading to smoking or obesity.

• There’s a concern that the death decline seen in colorectal and breast cancers have slowed in the past few years and progress for prostate cancer has actually stopped.

Possible effects of the coronavirus pandemic on cancer deaths

The fear, and difficulty, of going to medical facilities for routine exams or tests when unusual symptoms appear are often delayed or skipped entirely. This can lead to later diagnoses and, potentially, more deaths. The effects will probably not be known quickly. As Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the referenced report, said, “This will be an impact that will be felt slowly over the next decade.”

With vaccinations in process for Covid-19, cancer doctors anticipate, and hope, the pandemic will be a minor interruption in the decades- long progress made in the fight against cancer deaths.

Low-Dose CT Scan Screening Can Reduce Mortality

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Lung cancer can often be treatable if found at an early stage – now low-dose CT scan screening can reduce mortality for those at high risk.

Much like a yearly mammogram, getting this low-dose CT scan can detect lung cancer before symptoms are evident. This is especially helpful for those who are high risk – over 55 years of age, formerly smoked, or are still smoking. The low-dose CT scan is the only test that can reduce mortality for these individuals according to a recent study.

How does the low-dose CT scan work?

The patient lies on a moveable table that slides in and out of a machine while a specialized type of X-ray takes photos of the lungs. These photos are combined into a detailed image via computer allowing doctors to view lung cancer at an early stage.

What will the scan show?

Positive: This means an abnormality was identified. From this information, the doctor may want additional tests.
Negative: No abnormal findings in the scan, however, the doctor may suggest additional scans in the future.
Indeterminate: While no abnormality was found, the doctor may recommend further imaging and follow-up at a later date.

Who can get this scan and what is the cost?

The American Lung Association (ALA) has a website page dedicated to answers on this as it differs according to the patient’s insurance, age, and smoking history. In general, the patient must be 55 or older, have a long history of heavy smoking, and no signs of lung cancer. When that criteria is met, there is no charge when using an in-network facility.

What should you do now?

Start by taking the ALA quiz that will identify issues and provide a document to take to your doctor. To prevent most lung cancers, if you are currently smoking, stop now. If you do not smoke, don’t start. If quitting is difficult for you, lung.org provides support through online programs and in-person support groups. You can also call the Lung Help Line at 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872).

This low-dose CT scan technology is not just a hope for the future – it is available now.

VA Lessens Need to Choose Between Hospice and Cancer Treatment

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Too often, cancer patients and their families must choose between traditional hospice limited to palliative care and active treatment of their disease. Fortunately, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) has taken a lead in offering both hospice/palliative care and cancer therapy concurrently in the United States (US). This is a major step in what has been demonstrated in clinical trials to improve quality of life for cancer patients, and, potentially a longer life as well.

Traditionally, when entering hospice, a patient transitioned to a new paradigm – new medical goals, new medical team, perhaps new surroundings. The intent was to provide comfort, symptom relief, and mental relief, both psychologically and spiritually. The US medical establishment has lagged behind the United Kingdom (UK) for the past two decades in merging palliative care into the full range of cancer care.

Palliative care in the US was recognized for its financial benefits initially. Through this model, resources were used more effectively and there were fewer readmissions – both highly prized in the Diagnosis Related Groups reimbursement model, which sets payments and penalizes hospitals for readmissions. But creating a system where patients must choose either hospice or treatment has significant drawbacks. People on the palliative care of hospice no longer had access to treatments that could possibly give them better quality of life, or even extend their lives. Those patients who chose treatments, but not hospice, were denied the extra support and management of symptoms that palliative care offers.

In the 2015 Quality of Death Index, the US came in 9th place behind the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, Belgium, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. However, the Centers for Medicate and Medicaid Services (CMS) is currently piloting a new program for Medicare beneficiaries that could change that standing. Patients in the program can receive both palliative and anticancer therapies through any of 140 Medicare-certified hospices enrolled for a period of five years. Patients must fit certain criteria to participate.

Hurdles remain before the US can move up the ladder to providing the best care in the world to its citizens, but with the VA leading the way, and the CMS providing a pilot program for comprehensive care, the US can move up a needed rung on that ladder.

Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2015

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The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is commemorating Global Asbestos Awareness Week by focussing on prevention. The tagline throughout the world is:

“HEAR Asbestos? THINK Prevention!™”

Approximately 125 million people globally are exposed to asbestos where they work according to the World Health Organization. Of those, 107,000 people die each year due to this exposure.

This push towards prevention awareness is timed well as the US Senate is currently discussing our chemical safety laws and that includes asbestos. The United States has yet to ban asbestos. If you agree that its use in this country should be discontinued, contact your senators to let them know you want stronger safety laws. To prevent mesothelioma in the future, it’s critical to stop the use of asbestos now.

From April 1st to April 7th, go to the ADAO website every day to learn more about asbestos and mesothelioma as well as find stories of Mesothelioma Warriors to read and share. We must continue the research to extend life – and cure – these life-threatening asbestos diseases, but we must also do all we can to prevent asbestos ever affecting another person with its deadly fibers.