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.
Understanding Cancer Risk
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.
Understanding Statistics Used to Estimate Risk and Recommend Screening
Learn about the types of statistics used to estimate cancer risk.
Cancer Screening
Find information about the goals and limitations of cancer screening and common screening tests.
Chemoprevention
Find information on how chemoprevention can slow the development of cancer.
Food and Cancer Prevention
Learn about the complexities of studying specific foods, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals and the role they could play in cancer prevention.
HPV and Cancer
Get information on the types of cancer related to human papillomavirus (HPV) and the ways to help prevent infection, including vaccination.
Menopause and Cancer Risk
Learn about the complex relationship between menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and cancer risk.
Obesity and Cancer
Find information on why maintaining a healthy weight is important for cancer prevention and recovery from cancer.
Physical Activity and Cancer Risk
Being active lowers your risk of certain cancers. It also lowers your risk of other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. This article includes tips for encouraging activity in teens and children.
Protecting Your Skin From the Sun
Take these simple steps to help prevent skin cancer.
Stopping Tobacco Use After a Cancer Diagnosis
If you have been diagnosed with cancer and continue to smoke or use other tobacco products, you may believe it is too late to quit or there is no benefit to quitting. Some people feel deep down they don’t deserve extra help or care because smoking might have caused their cancer. However, it is never too late to stop using tobacco.