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 4 million deaths in the world every year. While some smokers are “lucky,” one out of 3 smokers dies because of a smoking related illnesse. A smoker may lose up to 7.5 years of his life. Smokers do not only affect themselves, but they are also harming others who are involuntarily exposed to their smoking and pay the costs of healthcare for smokers. Teen smoking is becoming a global problem. Most smokers pickup their bad habit before the age of 18, as they are often targeted by smoking manufacturers in advertisements. Hence, education of the youth should be a priority to decrease the rates of smoking in every country.

There is no question that cessation of smoking can decrease the risk of developing lung cancer yet, after some time the risk becomes reduced to that equivalent to nonsmokers. Nicotine replacement therapy is intended to provide the nicotine otherwise obtained from cigarettes, thereby reducing withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting. Based on the results of more than 90 trials, replacement therapy actually increases the chances of quitting by two-fold. Some proven ways to use nicotine replacement are the chewing of nicotine gum, skin patch, nasal spray and sublingual tablets among others.

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 offered counseling, distributed brochures and helped 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.

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 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 biologically active compounds.

• 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 cancer.

• 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.

• Obesity: Interestingly, obese women have up to 6 times more risk to develop uterine cancer. Less clear association with other types of cancer was observed, especially with breast 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. This may be more relevant to fighting off cancer risk than body weight or calorie consumption per se.

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.