Cancer 101: A Cancer Education and Training Program for [Target Population] Date Location Presented by: Presenter 1 Presenter 2

Cancer Risk Factors and Risk Reduction Cancer 101 Learning Module 3

Learning Objectives At the completion of learning Module 3, you will be able to: Describe the meaning of risk factors Describe two risk factors that influence the development of cancer Describe two ways to take personal action to reduce cancer risk

What is a risk factor? Risk factors are conditions that increase the chance that cancer might occur Risk factors relate to: 1)Lifestyle 2)Environment 3)Heredity Image Source: National Cancer Institute

Cancer Risk Nearly two-thirds of cancer deaths in the U.S. can be linked to preventable risk factors: –Tobacco use –Diet –Lack of exercise –Overweight and obesity SOURCE: ACS Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2011

Lifestyle Risk Factors Some types of cancers are related to how we live and the choices we make (lifestyle). What we eat or drink How much we exercise Whether or not we use tobacco

Environmental Risk Factors Some types of cancers are related to where we work and live (environment). Carcinogens can be found in the air, water, and soil.

Hereditary Risk Factors Some types of cancer tend to occur more often in some families than the rest of the population: –Breast –Colon –Melanoma –Ovary –Prostate May be due to an alteration in the genes.

Reducing Your Cancer Risk Ways to reduce your cancer risk include: –Education –Personal action

Personal Action to Reduce Risk Don’t use tobacco Maintain a healthy weight Be active Eat a variety of healthy foods Limit alcohol consumption Protect yourself from the sun Get immunized Avoid risky behaviors Get screened

Don’t Use Tobacco Tobacco use is a lifestyle risk factor that causes one third (33%) of all cancer deaths. Photo credit: Bill Branson | Source: NCI

Maintain a Healthy Weight In the U.S., overweight and obesity contribute to 14-20% of all cancer- related deaths. More than 66% of Americans are overweight or obese. Source: BRFSS 2009, CDC

Be Active About one-third of the more than 500,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. this year can be linked to poor diet and physical inactivity. Source: BRFSS 2009, CDC

Eat a Variety of Healthy Foods Emphasis on plant sources 5-9 servings of varied vegetables and fruits each day Whole grains Limit processed and red meats Control portion size

Limit Alcohol Consumption Drinking alcohol increase the risk of a number of cancers. In general, these risks increase after about one daily drink for women and two daily drinks for men. Using alcohol with tobacco is riskier than using either one alone.

Protect Yourself From the Sun Ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes early aging of the skin and skin damage than can lead to cancer: –Squamous cell skin cancer –Basal cell skin cancer –Melanoma

Get Immunized Certain cancers are associated with viral infections that can be prevented with immunizations. Talk to your doctor about immunization against: –Human Papillomavirus (HPV) –Hepatitis B

Avoid Risky Behaviors Risky behaviors can lead to infections that may increase your risk of cancer. Viruses transmitted sexually or by sharing contaminated needles include: –HPV –Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) –Hepatitis B and C

Get Screened Regular screening and examination for certain cancers can increase your chances of discovering cancer early. Screening should include: –Breasts (females) –Cervix (females) –Colon & rectum –Mouth –Prostate (males) –Skin –Testes (males)

This site provides reliable information on cancer risk: –What it means –What we know about contributors to risk –What you can do about it

In Summary You now have an understanding of: –Cancer risk factors –How to reduce risks associated with cancer