Efficacy of Cancer Risk Reduction

How health deeds of an individual contribute to cancer risk is well studied and is documented. World Cancer Research Panel survey suggests that almost 30 % to 40 % of cancer risks are due to improper or inadequate diet intake, physical activity and physical body weight of an individual. These cancer risks are directly coupled with cancer mortality and cancer morbidity. Efficacy of cancer risk reduction is not comprehensive review; however it is suggested to be major prevalent cases of many cancers for which supporting datas are available.

Efficacy of cancer risk reduction in terms of tobacco use

Many such cohort and case control studies states that majority of cancer that arise from tobacco usage which can be drastically reduced by reducing smoking habit. Risk of lung cancer is less common for smokers who have quit some 5 years before when compared with present smokers. When smokers quit smoking, chance of oral cancer, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer decreases drastically. Almost 50 % of pancreatic cancer risk is reduced by quitting smoking behavior.

Efficacy of cancer risk reduction by diet intake

About 30 % of cancer results from improper diet intake, especially in western countries. Polyunsaturated fatty acids that are present in membranes catalyze the formation of precarcinogens by releasing reactive intermediates. Substituting saturated fats with carbohydrates has no part in breast cancer risk. Dietary fat has less chance of causing colorectal cancer. Diet with more fiber content, fruits and vegetables and less fat reduces the risk of colorectal adenomas. Proper intake of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of oral cancer, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, stomach, lung, kidney, cervix and colorectal cancer.

Efficacy of cancer risk reduction by physical activity

Physical inactivity has little direct link with risk of prostrate, endometrial and lung cancer. However there are little chances of evidence and clinical trials available for this efficacy of cancer risk reduction.

Efficacy of cancer risk reduction by alcohol abuse

Excess intake of alcohol is associated with risk of breast, oral, pharynx, liver, esophagus and oropharynx cancer. Individual who consume alcohol and smoke has a more risk of cancer development. Quitting smoking and drinking reduces the risk of pharyngeal, laryngeal and esophageal cancer in a decade.

Efficacy of cancer risk reduction by obesity

Obese and overweight are associated with risk of breast cancer development. However, very little evidence exists.

Efficacy of cancer risk reduction by exposure to sun

Skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma are risks posed by exposure to sunlight. Evidence that sun protection reduces the chance of melanoma development is rare. Use of sun screens to arms, head, neck and hands decreases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma.

Questions:

• How health behavior plays a prominent role in cancer mortality and morbidity?
• Give evidence linking changes to reduce cancer mortality and morbidity.
• Describe methods to control the behavior modification.
• What individuals can do to improve the health behavior?
• What are efficacy of cancer risk reduction in terms of diet, obese, overweight, sun exposure, tobacco use, alcohol consumption & physical inactivity?