The majority of cancers are preventable. By reducing exposure to factors that are known to cause cancer, one can avoid having many types of cancer. The following are all ways to prevent cancer:

Cessation of smoking
Smoking is responsible for more than 5.4 million deaths in the world every year. While some smokers are “lucky,” one out of two. 60% of smokers die from a tobacco-caused disease. smokers dies because of a smoking related illness. Smokers do not only affect themselves, but they are also harming others who are involuntarily exposed to their smoking. 60% of children in Jordan are exposed to tobacco through second hand smoking (passive smoking). Recently, third hand smoking that results from toxic materials precipitating on surfaces of smokers' homes has been shown to be harmful especially to children. Smoking in general and teen smoking in specific is becoming a global problem. The Risk Factor Survey/2007 and Global Youth Tobacco Survey/2009 in Jordan, showed that 29% of adults and 11.5% of school students aged (13-15) years smoke cigarettes, and  that  9.3% of adults and 21.4%  of students use Argilla. Most smokers pick up their bad habit before the age of 18, as they are often targeted by smoking manufacturers in advertisements. Hence, Banning of smoking in public places, banning of advertisement and promotion for tobacco products, education of the public and youth  and availability of smoking cessation services, should be adopted strategies to reduce tobacco use in every country.should be a priority to decrease the rates of smoking in every country.

Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of 4,000 chemicals with over 60 known carcinogens.of the body are damaged by tobacco, however, smoking cessation will eventually reduce the chances of developing tobacco related illnesses including many types of cancer, so that over time the risk becomes equivalent to that of non-smokers.

To assist people with their struggle with tobacco use, KHCC established a Smoking Cessation Clinic. The Clinic offers services including medication, counseling and a quit program to help smokers quit.

Healthy Diet
Certain types of cancers are closely associated with type of food consumed in different parts of the world. Here are some examples of the correlation between diet and cancer:

• Fruits and vegetables: Consumption of 5 servings or more daily from vegetables and fruit is associated with reduced risks of cancers of the pharynx, larynx, lung, esophagus, stomach, cervix uteri, colon and rectum. Fruit and vegetables are major contributors of fiber, several vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants.

• Salt and salty-preserved foods: Consumption of large amounts of salt and salty-preserved food may increase the risk of having stomach and colon cancer.

• Red meat: Consumption of large amounts of red meat (beef and lamb) more than 80 grams daily significantly increases the risk of developing colon, lung, rectum, breast, prostate and ovary cancer. So substitute with fish and chicken.

• Food additives: These are chemicals added to food for the purpose of preservation or to enhance flavor, texture or color. Some animal studies associated Saccharine (which is used as a sweetener) to increased incidences of urinary bladder cancer. However, there is inadequate evidence to support the carcinogenicity of saccharine in humans.

• Vitamins: Individuals with lower carotenoid (vitamin A) levels have increased lung cancer risk. Less consistent and weaker protective effects of carotenoids have also been reported for cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, colorectum, breast and cervix. Low dietary intake of vitamin C has been found to be associated with an increased risk of cancers of the stomach, mouth, pharynx, oesophagus and, less consistently, with cancers of the lung, pancreas and cervix. Although results on vitamin E and cancer are less strong and consistent than those on carotenoids and vitamin C, several studies have suggested that low vitamin E intake is related to increased risk of cancers of the lung, cervix and colorectum. There is rising interest in the possible cancer-preventive effect of folic acid; some prospective studies have shown that high dietary intakes and higher blood levels may be associated with reduced risk of cancers and adenomatous polyps of the colorectum.
It is preferred to have these vitamins from food and not to use as tabs from pharmacy.

• Obesity: Interestingly, obese women have up to 6 times more risk to develop uterine cancer.

• Physical activity: Regular physical activity to maintain a healthy body weight is a way to prevent many types of cancers. Moderate to mild activity should be practiced at least 30 minutes every other day.

• Cereals and Legumes :
Contains fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for fighting several types of cancers.

• Fats:
High intake of fats increase the risk of cancer .so reduce fatty foods and fried foods

Reducing exposure to ultraviolet light
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. Solar radiation is established as a cause of skin cancer and may account for 80-90% of such diseases. Sun-protective behavior is the most effective way to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. This includes avoiding intentional sun exposure (tanning by way of sun bathing), wearing clothes that leave less skin exposed to the sun, wearing sunglasses and frequently applying sunscreen daily. It should be noted that sunscreens do not completely protect from the sun’s damaging rays and that prolonged sun exposure may lead to skin cancer even when sunscreens are used.

Hepatitis B vaccination
Hepatocellular carcinoma is closely associated with the hepatitis B infection. This viral infection is transmitted through sexual contact, exposure to infected blood or from mother to child during pregnancy or delivery. The Hepatitis B vaccine during early childhood can prevent 95% of adulthood hepatitis B infections and prevent the development of liver cancer in most cases. Hepatitis B vaccines are administered via intramuscular injections. Three doses are required and an individual may receive the vaccine at any age.

Use of medications that can prevent cancer
We hope that in the future, cancer can be prevented by taking medications. This can be particularly useful in high risk groups like families with many individuals affected with breast or colon cancer.
Currently, 2 examples of medications that can prevent cancer are available, they are:
1. Aspirin: Regular use of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the risk of recurrence of adenomas and colon cancer.
2. Tamoxifen: Hormonal treatment used for the treatment of some patients with breast cancer reduces the risk of developing cancer in the other breast.
More studies in the future are expected to look at other medications, vitamins and trace elements to evaluate their cancer-prevention potential.
This cessation clinic was formed to assist people who want to quit smoking. It was born as a reaction to the increasing problem of smoking among Jordanians. The program aims to outline hazardous consequences on health in general and cancer in particular. A specialized team at the Center was trained by an expert from Georgetown University. This team offers counseling, brochures and help with all the necessary means to help people stop this bad habit. The program is also dedicated to spreading the message of the importance of preventive measures with regard to cancer.

To make an appointment, call the Smoking Cessation Clinic at +9626-530-0460 ext 4086

This program targets the local community, in its various factions, with the aim of increasing general public awareness of cancer. Special attention is paid to the most common cancers in Jordan and the importance of regular screening and early detection. The program seeks to increase cases of early stage diagnosis, in hopes of offering patients more successful management and possible cures for their diseases. This mission bears the utmost importance, due to the fact that the majority of cases diagnosed and treated in Jordan are already in the advanced stages when first seen by a medical professional.

The program seeks out local community organizations such as schools, universities, women's associations, banks, NGOs, and religious groups among others, to disseminate cancer awareness lectures throughout Jordan. The information is communicated in a simple, clear message that stresses the importance of early detection, as well as the risk factors that increase the chances for developing cancer. The circulated information also addresses the most common signs and symptoms, how treating cancer early will increase a person’s chances for cure, and correcting some misconceptions about cancer and its transmission. Sometimes clinical breast exams are offered to women, especially those in remote rural areas. A part of the population that needs to be educated includes those from the medical sector. Hence, breast cancer workshops are done for primary health care providers such as general practitioners, gynecologists, and health visitors, to familiarize them with the signs of breast cancer, how to diagnose it, what investigations to be done, and the guidelines for screening.

If you can't reach us…we’ll reach you!

KHCC makes every effort to reach individuals wherever they are in the country. Our primary objective is to increase the public’s cancer awareness and encourage early detection via lectures, workshops and outreach visits. KHCC targets local community development centers in rural areas around the country as well as educational and healthcare institutions.