Malady Wise

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Cancer

Maladywise

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