Cancer prevention in women: Oncologist shares 5 everyday steps that can lower risk and catch cancer early
Cancer prevention rarely begins inside a hospital. It can begin much earlier, with a conversation about the cancers that run in your family, a decision to quit smoking, a vaccination, a walk after dinner or simply not postponing a recommended screening test.There is no single habit that can guarantee protection from cancer, and prevention is not about trying to control every possible risk. But some of the most important steps are surprisingly practical. Knowing your personal and family history can help doctors understand whether you may need closer surveillance. Staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol can help reduce exposure to established cancer risk factors. Screening can detect certain cancers early or identify changes before cancer develops, while vaccines such as HPV and hepatitis B vaccines can help prevent infections linked to cancer.For women, this matters particularly because cancers such as breast, cervical and colorectal cancer are among those for which screening and early detection can play an important role.So what should women actually do, and when should they start thinking about it?In this interview, Dr Kalyani Premchandra, Medical Oncologist, Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, explains five important pillars of cancer prevention, from understanding family history and lifestyle-related risk to staying up to date with screening and vaccination.
1. Know your personal and family history
Your family history can give clues about your risk of developing some cancers. If close relatives have breast, ovarian, uterine or colorectal cancer, especially when cancers happen at an younger age or affect several family members your risk may be higher than average. During visits talk with your doctor about your family history. Depending on what you and your family history show your doctor may suggest extra screening or genetic counselling and testing.Knowing your family history does not necessarily mean you will get cancer. It simply lets you and your healthcare team make decisions about prevention and screening.
2. Stay active and maintain a healthy weight
Regular physical activity is key to preventing cancer and maintaining good health. Physical activity not only helps maintain a healthy weight but also lowers the risk of several cancers. Try to add movement to your daily routine: Every movement counts. Walking, cycling, swimming, strength training, yoga and other activities can improve your fitness level and reduce body weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is also vital because being overweight or obese is linked to a higher risk of several cancers such as endometrial cancer, esophageal adenocarcinoma, gastric cardia, liver and breast cancer. While researchers are not exactly sure why body weight increases the risk of cancer, it is thought that it can contribute in three ways: by creating a state of chronic inflammation, disrupting hormone balances (such as insulin), altering immune function, and affecting cell growth signals. Fat tissue releases inflammatory substances called adipokines, which can create an environment that promotes cancer.
3. Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol
Tobacco use is one of the important preventable risk factor of cancer. Smoking is linked to many cancers and second-hand smoke can also be harmful. Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals, at least 70 of which are known carcinogens. These chemicals can damage your DNA, and the buildup of DNA damage can cause uncontrolled cell growth, which underlies cancer development. Quitting smoking at any time significantly reduces your cancer risk. Within 5-10 years after stopping smoking, your risk of cancers drops by half, and within 10-20 years? The risk almost resembles that of a nonsmoker. It isn’t about the years you spent smoking, but the years you get back once you quit. Quitting smoking at any time brings real, measurable health benefits, no matter how long you’ve smoked. Alcohol consumption also raises the risk of cancers, including breast and colorectal cancer. Limiting alcohol intake can make a difference in a healthier lifestyle and reduce exposure to known cancers.
4. Do not miss recommended cancer screening
Screening is one of the important tools for cancer prevention and early detection. Some tests can find cancer earlier while others can spot precancerous changes before cancer shows up. Cervical cancer is an example.Pap tests and HPV tests can find infections or abnormal cells in the cervix that might lead to cancer. Get screened even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine. Pap smear should be done once in 3 years till 65 years of age. Breast cancer screening matters too. Medical screening tests include clinical breast examinations by a physician and mammograms once a year. Mammograms can find breast cancer before it grows big enough to feel or cause symptoms. The right age and how often to screen may differ based on your risk, so talk with your doctor about your schedule.Colorectal cancer screening is important especially as women get older. Regular surveillance for colorectal cancers beginning at age 45 with flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years and Colonoscopy every 10 years.
5. Consider vaccination
Vaccination can help prevent some cancers. The HPV vaccine protects against infection with human papilloma virus. HPV infection can cause certain types of cancer- cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, vulvar, and vaginal. HPVvaccine works best when given before first exposure to the virus- that is, before individuals begin to engage in sexual activity.Remember vaccination does not replace cervical cancer screening. Hepatitis B Vaccine: Prevents chronic liver infections that can lead to liver cancer. If you have not been vaccinated, talk with your healthcare provider.“Cancer prevention is not about following one rule. It is about building a set of habits and staying steady with proper medical care. Avoiding tobacco,maintaining a healthy weight, staying active limiting alcohol intake, getting the recommended vaccinations, knowing your family history and keeping up with cancer screening can all lower cancer risk or catch cancer earlier and easier to treat,” says the doctor and adds every woman has a health history and risk profile. Therefore, prevention should be personalized than based on a one-size-fits-all rule. Talk with your doctor about the screenings and preventive steps that fit your age, medical history and personal risk. Taking action today can be one of the important investments you make in your health, for the years ahead.
