1.7 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year. That is more people than live in the entire state of Montana, according to 2021 data. February is National Cancer Prevention Month. According to the American Association of Cancer Research, preventable causes are the catalyst for over 40% of all cancers diagnosed and almost half of all deaths from cancer. While genetics play a role in your risk and is out of your control, things like smoking, sun exposure, physical activity, and excess body weight are all considered preventable contributors to a higher cancer risk.
So how can you help prevent yourself from becoming one of the 600,000 people who die from cancer every year? Start with limiting those preventable causes and get your regular screenings. To limit your UV exposure, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends an SPF of at least 30 or higher if you need to be out in the sun, stay covered with light weight clothing and hats, and avoid tanning beds entirely. Even just one session in a tanning bed can increase your chances of melanoma (skin cancer) by 75% before the age of 35 according to the Cancer Network.
Of course, lung cancer can be greatly reduced by not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke exposure as well. Excessive alcohol use is linked to many different cancers, including breast cancer in women, and liver, colon, rectum, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus cancers in men and women. For men, 5 or more drinks and 4 or more drinks for women is considered excessive alcohol use. In other words, one glass of red wine a day may be beneficial, but a whole bottle every day will put you at a higher risk of developing cancer. Obesity is a factor in over 10 different types of cancer, including colorectal, breast and uterine cancers. Maintaining a healthy weight can be obtained with a balanced diet and exercise. Finally, there are vaccines available for some cancers. The HPV vaccine can reduce your risk of getting cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers as well as anal cancer and genital warts. While the Hepatitis B vaccine can reduce your risk of obtaining liver cancer. The decisions you make regarding your health today certainly affect your health in the years to come.
One other crucial step in cancer survival is routine cancer screenings. As you age, your risk of cancer increases. Family history, certain medication use, and other health problems may increase your chances or alter the screening recommendations for you, so it is important to discuss screenings with your primary care provider. However, for folks at average risk for cancer annual screenings should become a part of your routine. People between 50 and 80 years old who are currently smoking or who have quit within the past 15 years are encouraged to receive a low-dose CT scan once a year. Adults between ages 45-75 are encouraged to get a colorectal screening for colon cancer. A home screening kit may be useful, or a colonoscopy may be used for screening. Women are encouraged to get a Pap smear every 2-3 years after turning 21 to screen for cervical cancer, and mammograms every one to two years after age 40 to screen for breast cancer.
The screenings that are right for you is a decision best made after a conversation with your primary care provider. The providers at BSMC are happy to help arrange many of your regular screenings. Mammograms, ordering Cologuard and reviewing results, and Pap smears are available now, and CT scans will be available in the near future. Our providers are also happy to assess your skin for questionable melanoma (skin cancer). If you would like assistance reducing your cancer risks or obtaining evaluation for any concerns, you can make an appointment at the Big Sandy Medical Center Clinic. 406.378.2189. It is our mission to take care of the people who are the heart of BSMC and that includes preventing further illness. As Desiderius Erasmus stated, "Prevention is better than cure."
