Cancer
Cancer
Numbers
Cancer is the leading cause of death and kills 30% of humans in Australia
Prevention
The best way to reduce cancer risk is -
Learn what cancers kill us
Find out if you are at higher personal risk for specific cancers
Screen for cancer early
Avoid things that promote cancer
Do things that allow your body to defend against early cancer changes before they grow
Types
Lung cancer= 22% of all cancer deaths
Colorectal cancer = 9%
Pancreatic cancer = 6%
Breast cancer = 5%
Prostate cancer = 5%
Leukaemia = 5%
Liver cancer = 4%
Lymphoma = 4%
Stomach and Oesophagus cancer = 3%
Ovarian cancer = 2%
Brain cancer = 2%
Bladder cancer = 1%
Kidney cancer = 1%
Thyroid cancer = 1%
Melanoma = 1%
Uterus cancer = 1%
Brain cancer = 1%
Multiple myeloma = 1%
Prevention of all cancer
Avoid tobacco
Be physically active
Maintain a healthy weight
Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in saturated/trans fat, red meat, and processed meat
Limit alcohol (zero is best)
Protect against sexually transmitted infections; this includes vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV)
Protect against the sun
Get regular screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, skin and lung cancer (if applicable based on smoking history)
Infections
13% of all cancers are due to infections which increase cell turnover
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Cervical cancer
Anal cancer
Head and neck cancer
Hepatitis B and C
Liver cancer
HIV
Multiple cancers
Human Herpes Virus 8
Lymphoma
Ebstein Barr virus (Glandular fever)
Lymphoma
Helicobacter Pylori
Stomach cancer
Infection treatment
HPV vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccine
Hepatitis C screening and treatment
Pre-exposure prophylaxis
Tobacco
Tobacco accounts for 21% of all cancers and 30% of all cancer-related death
Smoking increased the risk of lung cancer 10 to 20 times
Also implicated as a causative factor for leukaemia as well as cancers of the oral cavity, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, larynx, oesophagus, pancreas, liver, stomach, cervix, kidney, large bowel, and bladder
Physical activity
Greater physical activity reduces the risk of many cancers, especially colon and breast cancer
24% reduction in colon cancer and 16% reduction in colon polyps.
Obesity
Higher body weight is linked to 12 types of cancer including endometrial, kidney, stomach, colon, pancreas, and ovarian
Alcohol
Increases risk of breast, gut, head, neck, lung, and liver cancer
Environmental Exposure
Sun and UV radiation
Air pollution
Radon
Arsenic
Diet
Reduction of cancer risk with a healthy Mediterranean-style diet high in fruits, nuts, legumes, whole wheat bread, fish, and olive oil
Red meat linked to increased risk of colorectal cancer and advanced prostate cancer
Fruit and vegetables generally protective
Low-fat dairy may protect against breast cancer
Fibre reduces colorectal cancer
Glycaemic load
Coffee linked to lower risk endometrial and liver cancer
Calcium
Increased calcium intake linked to reduced risk of colorectal cancer
Aspirin
Regular aspirin reduces risk of colon polyps and cancer
Metformin
Metformin reduced the incidence of cancer in patients with diabetes