Preventing Cancer Across a Lifetime

There are many kinds of cancer, most caused by a combination of factors over time. These can include—

• Genetic factors you get from your parents, such as a change in your breast cancer genes.
• Environmental factors, such as sunlight, radon, or pollution.
• Personal habits, such as smoking or drinking alcohol.
• Workplace factors, such as exposure to certain chemicals.
• The food you eat and medicines you take.

You can’t change some risk factors, such as your genes or getting older. But you can completely or partially avoid other factors—for example, by not smoking or quitting smoking, by not drinking or limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, and by protecting your skin from the sun. It is easier, when possible, to prevent cancer than to treat it.

Some cancer risk factors can be linked closely to a person’s age. For example, most people start smoking during their preteen or teen years, so using antismoking interventions that target youth can help keep kids from smoking, and prevent many future cancers. While you can’t avoid getting older, some cancers appear later in life because of actions taken or exposures over many years. For example, the less alcohol you drink over your lifetime, the lower your risk of getting certain types of cancer.

A Lifetime Approach to Preventing Cancer

CDC scientists and other experts created the Cancer Prevention Across the Lifespan workgroup to learn how cancer can be prevented at different ages. This workgroup studies scientific literature and works with other cancer experts to find ways to prevent cancer related to each period in your lifetime, from before birth through old age.

• Prenatal and early childhood (ages 7 years and younger).
• Adolescence (ages 8 through 18 years).
• Early adulthood (ages 19 through 44 years).
• Midlife (ages 45 through 64 years).
• Older adulthood (ages 65 years and older).

Citation

Shoemaker ML, Holman DM, Henley SJ, White MC. News from CDC: applying a life course approach to primary cancer prevention. Translational Behavioral Medicine 2015;5(2):131–133.

Cancer Prevention During Early Life

Research suggests that we can take steps today to protect the health of babies and young children, and reduce their chances of getting cancer in the future.

Cancer Prevention Among Youth

Youth go through many physical and social changes as they grow into adults. These changes create unique opportunities for cancer prevention.

Cancer Prevention During Early Adulthood

Early adulthood is a time of many life changes, such as leaving home, getting a full-time job, and becoming a parent, each with challenges and stresses. Research shows that people can do several things to lower their long-term cancer risk during this time of life.

Cancer Prevention During Midlife

At this age, adults may experience the onset of chronic diseases or other health problems. During this time of unique life transitions and health challenges, adults can make positive changes to reduce their cancer risk and support health during midlife and beyond.