Question 221 of 433
What are the biggest levers for prevention?
The short answer
Tobacco, body weight, alcohol, sunlight, physical activity, certain infections, and diet, roughly in that order.
Tobacco causes about one in five cancers and nearly a third of cancer deaths.
Excess body weight is linked to at least 13 cancers, including breast after menopause, colon, uterus, kidney, liver, and pancreas.
Alcohol is a proven cause of seven cancers. For breast cancer, risk rises from about one drink a day.
Sun and tanning beds cause most skin cancers.
Inactivity raises colon, breast, and uterine cancer risk.
Infections: the HPV vaccine prevents cervical, throat, and anal cancers and is approved up to age 45. Hepatitis B vaccination and treatment of hepatitis C prevent liver cancer.
Diet: less processed and red meat, more fiber.
Radon, a natural gas in some homes, is the second leading cause of lung cancer. An inexpensive kit tests for it.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
ROBUST CAUSAL / PREVENTION EVIDENCE — Exposure-specific cancer risks; vaccine eligibility and effect vary.Evidence grade (draft mapping)ARobust human trialsPart 16, Q221 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.