Risk Factors and Prevention

Improving cancer prevention is part of the mission of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Cancer Prevention and risk-reduction strategies can greatly lower the physical, emotional, and financial burden of cancer and improve the overall health of cancer survivors, including lowering the risk of the cancer coming back or the formation of a second cancer.

Although the risk of developing cancer can be greatly reduced by avoiding risk factors, not all cancers are preventable. Review Cancer.Net's Cancer Types sections for more information about preventing specific types of cancer.

The information in this section is adapted from the ASCO Curriculum, Cancer Prevention, an education resource developed by ASCO for doctors and other health-care professionals who treat people with cancer.

Risk Factors: A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease, such as cancer. This section provides an overview of risk factors.

Cancer Screening: Find information about the goals and limitations of cancer screening and common screening tests.

Health Disparities and Cancer: Find information about health disparities and cancer in the United States and links to additional resources.

Chemoprevention: Find information on how chemoprevention can slow the development of cancer.

Diet and Nutrition: Learn about the role of diet and nutrition in the prevention of cancer during and after treatment

Physical Activity: Learn how physical activity can prevent cancer and get physical activity recommendations for good health.

Tobacco: Learn how not smoking and quitting smoking prevents cancer and improves the results of cancer treatment.

Weight Control: Find information on why maintaining a healthy weight is important for cancer prevention and recovery from cancer.

Resources: Find additional information about cancer prevention.