Screening tests can help detect malignancies in their earliest stages, but you should always be alert for symptoms of the disease.

The American Cancer Society developed this simple reminder years ago:. It's a rough guide at best. The vast majority of such symptoms are caused by nonmalignant disorders, and cancers can produce symptoms that don't show up on the list, such as unexplained weight loss or fatigue.

But it is a useful reminder to listen to your body and report sounds of distress to your doctor. Early diagnosis is important, but can you go one better? Can you reduce your risk of getting cancer in the first place?

It sounds too good to be true, but it's not. The 10 commandments of cancer prevention are: 1. Avoid tobacco in all its forms, including exposure to secondhand smoke.

You don't have to be an international scientist to understand how you can try to protect yourself and your family. Eat properly. Reduce your consumption of saturated fat and red meat, which may increase the risk of colon cancer and a more aggressive form of prostate cancer.

Increase your consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Exercise regularly. Physical activity has been linked to a reduced risk of colon cancer. Exercise also appears to reduce a woman's risk of breast and possibly reproductive cancers.

Exercise will help protect you even if you don't lose weight. Stay lean. Obesity increases the risk of many forms of cancer. Calories count; if you need to slim down, take in fewer calories and burn more with exercise.

If you choose to drink, limit yourself to an average of one drink a day. Excess alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, larynx voice box , esophagus food pipe , liver, and colon; it also increases a woman's risk of breast cancer.

Smoking further increases the risk of many alcohol-induced malignancies. Avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation. Get medical imaging studies only when you need them. Check your home for residential radon, which increases the risk of lung cancer.

Protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation in sunlight, which increases the risk of melanomas and other skin cancers. But don't worry about electromagnetic radiation from high-voltage power lines or radiofrequency radiation from microwaves and cell phones.

They do not cause cancer. Avoid exposure to industrial and environmental toxins such as asbestos fibers, benzene, aromatic amines, and polychlorinated biphenyls PCBs. Avoid infections that contribute to cancer , including hepatitis viruses, HIV, and the human papillomavirus.

Many are transmitted sexually or through contaminated needles. Make quality sleep a priority. Admittedly, the evidence linking sleep to cancer is not strong. But poor and insufficient sleep increases is associated with weight gain, which is a cancer risk factor.

Get enough vitamin D. Many experts now recommend to 1, IU a day, a goal that's nearly impossible to attain without taking a supplement. Although protection is far from proven, evidence suggests that vitamin D may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer, colon cancer, and other malignancies.

But don't count on other supplements. Home About Cancer Causes and Prevention. Cancer Causes and Prevention Risk Factors Genetics Cancer Prevention Overview Research. Causes and Prevention Cancer prevention is action taken to lower the risk of getting cancer.

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All About Cancer. Cancer Risk and Prevention. Learn about Cancer Causes. Understanding the Causes of Cancer Find out what we know about the factors that can affect your cancer risk. Genetics and Cancer Risk Some types of cancer run in certain families, but most cancers are not clearly linked to the genes we inherit from our parents.

How to Lower Your Risk. Stay Away from Tobacco Get information on how to quit smoking. Be Safe in the Sun Ward off skin cancer with these sun-safety tips. With these additional recommended investments in CDC, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program could screen an additional , people, resulting in more than 2, additional cancers and precancerous lesions detected and referred for preventive treatment.

Drive New Innovation and Deliver the Latest Progress to Patients and Communities The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology ONC launched CancerX, a National Accelerator to Drive Progress Against Cancer. As part of the U.

The goal of the Cancer Moonshot Scholars program is to inspire and support the next generation of world-class and diverse scientists and health innovators focused on breakthroughs that will make a difference for patients and drive progress.

The U. Patent and Trademark Office USPTO expanded and extended its program to expedite consideration of patents for innovations to detect and treat cancer. As part of his Unity Agenda last year, President Biden called on Congress to establish and fund ARPA-H to drive breakthroughs in cancer and other diseases.

Because of this law, tens of thousands of cancer patients could see their prescription drug costs go down by thousands annually. The National Cancer Institute NCI launched the Childhood Cancer — Data Integration for Research, Education, Care, and Clinical Trials CC-DIRECT to support children and Adolescents and Young Adults AYAs with cancer throughout their cancer journey and provide patient navigation support to families seeking information and optimal care.

Work has begun in earnest, which includes the formation of a team of 22 organizations to develop a patient centered standardized cancer health record that will also facilitate research and clinical trial participation.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation CMMI at CMS launched a new, voluntary Enhancing Oncology Model designed to place cancer patients at the center of decision-making that provides equitable, evidence-based cancer care that is more affordable and supportive.

This model aims to improve care coordination, quality, and health outcomes for patients while also holding oncology practices accountable for the total cost of care.

LEARN MORE. Share Your Proposed Actions A mission this bold is going to require the commitment of all companies, foundations, and institutions that can contribute new actions and collaborations toward ending cancer as we know it.

What is the Cancer Moonshot? About Us Objectives. Previous Tab Next Tab. About Us The Cancer Moonshot is a White House initiative to bring renewed leadership to the fight against cancer, facilitate new collaborations, and drive progress across the cancer journey utilizing all facets of the oncology community — federal agencies and departments, private companies, healthcare providers, patient groups, philanthropies, and all Americans.

To reach the bold but achievable goals set forth by President Biden, the Cancer Moonshot is mobilizing the: Federal government to drive innovative action and life-saving progress forward in ways that reach all Americans.

in Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke are also at risk for cancer of the lungs and other sites, as well as other diseases.

E-cigarettes also have serious health risks with increasing use seen among young people, which may lead to addiction or may also serve as a gateway to other tobacco products.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation stands firm in discouraging the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

Skin cancer is the most common—and the most preventable—cancer diagnosis in the U. Be sure to use adequate sun protection year-round. Never use indoor tanning beds. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains, limit red meat and foods high in salt and cut out processed meats.

Avoid drinks with added sugar. Drinking alcohol is linked to several cancers, including breast , colorectal , esophageal, oral and liver cancers. If you drink, limit your drinking to no more than one drink a day if you are a woman, and no more than one or two a day if you are a man.

The more you drink, the greater your risk of cancer. Even small amounts of alcohol might increase your risk. Obesity is linked to many cancers, including those of the endometrium, liver , kidney, pancreas, colon , breast especially in post-menopausal women and more.

Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least five days a week can make a big difference in your general health and well-being. Make it a priority to move more and sit less.

The CAM is a validated set of questions designed to reliably assess cancer awareness. Also Breast, Bowel, Cervical, Lung and Ovarian versions.

We work with Government to ensure that their policies tackle the major risk factors for cancer including alcohol, obesity, diet and sun awareness. See our range of free posters, leaflets and other health publications for your patients.

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See the range and sign up. Explore a selection of reports and publications from the experts at Cancer Research UK, and through various collaborations.

Topics include: summaries of the state of cancer, projections, risk factors and preventability, symptom awareness investigation, intervention success, barrier identification, treatments received and more.

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About Us. Español Spanish. Minus Related Pages. We are dedicated to helping all people reduce their cancer risk. Use proven ways to help all people get the right cancer screening tests at the right time. Our Reach We educate people about risk factors and cancer screening through educational campaigns, programs, and initiatives.

Programs Through our programs, we work with state health agencies, territories, tribes and tribal organizations, and other key organizations to develop, implement, and promote effective cancer prevention and control practices. Colorectal Cancer Control Program CRCCP Works with health systems to increase colorectal cancer screening rates among people who are 45 to 75 years old.

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program NBCCEDP Provides low-cost breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services. National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program NCCCP Provides funding, guidance, and technical assistance to help programs implement plans to prevent and control cancer.

National Program of Cancer Registries NPCR Supports central cancer registries to collect data on cancer occurrence, the type of initial treatment, and outcomes. Educational Campaigns Through our three national public health campaigns, we educate people about the symptoms of cancer and how to reduce your risk.

Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign Informs adults who are 45 years old or older about the importance of getting screened for colorectal cancer. Inside Knowledge About Gynecologic Cancer Raises awareness about cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.

Bring Your Brave Provides information about breast cancer to women younger than age Cancer Moonshot The Cancer Moonshot is a national initiative to end cancer as we know it.

Improve the experience of patients and families living with and surviving cancer. Breast and Cervical Cancer.

Colorectal Cancer. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U. Colon cancer can be prevented.

Screening for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50 saves lives! Talk to your health care provider today about which screening test is right for you. Keeping up with essential cancer screenings or getting back on track with missed or cancelled screenings can save your life.

Learn when to begin recommended cancer screenings from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at health.

Keeping up with essential cancer screenings can save your life. Learn when to begin recommended cancer screenings at health. Surviving cancer has many hurdles, but with proper self-care including nutrition, exercise, and mental support, cancer survivors can thrive.

Learn tips for cancer survivorship from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at health. Surviving cancer has many hurdles, but with proper self-care cancer survivors can thrive. Learn tips for cancer survivorship and honor a cancer survivor at health. May Skin Cancer Prevention Month.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. A change in your skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. Reduce your risk of skin cancer or catch it early by reporting any unusual moles or changes in your skin to your doctor.

September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.