How many cancers are preventable

That means the non-inherited causes of cancer — the lifestyle choices we make, the foods we eat, and our physical activity levels — have a direct impact on our overall cancer risk. The American Cancer Society reports that half of all men and one-third of all women will develop cancer in their lifetimes.

These figures, based on data from , translate to:. The researchers came up with the estimates by calculating how much certain lifestyle factors contributed to 26 different cancer types among adults ages 30 and older. These risk factors included:. They used that information to estimate the proportion of cancers associated with those risk factors. Then they applied those proportions to actual cancer diagnosis and death data to estimate the total numbers of associated cancer cases and deaths.

The results were published Nov. The authors say their study improves upon past analyses because they included more risk factors and cancer types and they used nationally representative and up-to-date data. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 1. The researchers say their findings can help leaders set priorities for cancer prevention and control. Not smoking, keeping weight in check, avoiding too much alcohol, and eating a low sodium diet can also help protect against stomach cancer.

Uterine cancer also called endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Behaviors like drinking coffee, keeping weight in check, and avoiding diabetes with healthy lifestyle choices can help lower the risk of uterine cancer. Less traditional lifestyle factors can also lower risk, such as taking birth control pills and, in postmenopausal women, avoiding menopausal hormone therapy.

Bladder cancer Approximately 77, new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. Breast cancer Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the US. Cervical cancer Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Ways to lower cervical cancer risk Benefit Getting the HPV vaccine — Typically given at age 11 to 12 years old, but can be given into 20s.

Colon cancer Up to 75 percent of colon cancers could be avoided with regular screening and other healthy behaviors. Ways to lower colon cancer risk Benefit Getting screened regularly from age 50 on some guidelines recommend starting at age Kidney cancer Kidney cancer is fairly rare in the US. Lung cancer Not smoking is clearly the single most important thing people can do to prevent lung cancer. Aggressive Prostate cancer Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in United States men.

Skin cancer: Melanoma Sun protection is key to lowering the risk of melanoma, the most serious, deadly form of skin cancer. Stomach cancer Though fairly rare in the United States, stomach cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide.

Uterine cancer Uterine cancer also called endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Getting the HPV vaccine — Typically given at age 11 to 12 years old, but can be given into 20s. Getting screened regularly from age 50 on some guidelines recommend starting at age Ages 50 — 69 Taking a low-dose aspirin most days long term — Check with doctor first.

In workers Avoiding unprotected work with aluminum, beryllium, bis chloromethyl ether and chloromethyl ether, cadmium, chromium, coke, mustard gas, radon, silica, or sulfuric acid mist. Tips features real people—not actors—who are living with serious health conditions caused by smoking and secondhand smoke exposure.

It connects people who smoke with resources to help them quit, including QUIT-NOW , which directs people to free services from their state quitlines. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer , are caused by exposure to ultraviolet UV light from the sun or tanning beds. Although use of sun protection has increased slightly in recent years, sunburn is common in the United States, with about one-third of adults and over half of high school students getting sunburned each year.

These reports highlight recent prevention efforts, new data, and success stories. CDC also conducts surveillance and research to provide data on rates of new melanoma cases, sunscreen use, and indoor tanning behaviors. Overweight and obesity are associated with at least 13 types of cancer, including endometrial uterine cancer, breast cancer in postmenopausal women, and colorectal cancer. To promote good nutrition, the division works with hospitals to support breastfeeding moms, child care centers to adopt healthy eating standards, and workplaces to change policies so that employees have more healthy food choices.

To increase physical activity opportunities, the division partners with state and local governments to promote improvements in community design, such as sidewalks and parks, that make physical activity safer and more convenient for people of all ages and abilities. Excessive alcohol use, either in the form of binge drinking 5 or more drinks on an occasion for men or 4 or more drinks on an occasion for women or heavy drinking 15 or more drinks per week for men or 8 or more drinks per week for women , increases the risk of cancer of the breast in women , liver, colon, rectum, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus.

The program developed the Alcohol-Related Disease Impact ARDI application, which allows users to estimate deaths and years of potential life lost from excessive alcohol use. The program also funds and guides scientists in some states to study excessive drinking so that state leaders have the information they need to change policies and environments to prevent this key health risk. Human papillomavirus HPV causes most cervical cancers, as well as some cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus, rectum, and oropharynx cancers of the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils.