Sekurang-kurangnya satu pertiga daripada kesemua kanser boleh dielakkan.
Pencegahan menawarkan kos yang paling efektif dalam strategi jangka panjang untuk kawalan kanser.
(Diadaptasi daripada program kawalan kanser WHO)

Apakah penyebab utama kanser?

• Tembakau.
• Kurang pengambilan buah-buahan dan sayur-sayuran
• Pengambilan alkohol yang berlebihan .
• Obesiti.
• Pendedahan yang berlebihan pada matahari.

Risiko kanser boleh dikurangkan 60-70% oleh:-

• Pilihan makanan yang betul.
• Berat badan yang sihat.
• Senaman.
• Tidak merokok.

Penyebab kancer yang kurang umum:-

• Genetik.
• Pencemaran.
• Radiasi.
• Pekerjaan yang bahaya.
• Tobacco: Tobacco is the single largest preventable cause of cancer in the world today. It causes 80-90% of all lung cancer deaths, and about 30% of all cancer deaths in developing countries, including deaths from cancer of the oral cavity, larynx, oesophagus and stomach.
• Diet, physical activity and health: Dietary modification is another important approach to cancer control. There is a link between overweight and obesity to many types of cancer such as oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. Diets high in fruits and vegetables may have a protective effect against many cancers. Conversely, excess consumption of red and preserved meat may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. In addition, healthy eating habits that prevent the development of diet-associated cancers will also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Regular physical activity and the maintenance of a healthy body weight, along with a healthy diet, will considerably reduce cancer risk.
• Infectious diseases: Infectious agents are responsible for almost 22% of cancer deaths in the developing world and 6% in industrialized countries. Viral hepatitis B and C cause cancer of the liver; human papilloma virus infection causes cervical cancer; the bacterium Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of stomach cancer. Preventive measures include vaccination and prevention of infection and infestation.
• Ionizing radiation: Exposure to ionizing radiation is also known to cause to certain cancers. Excessive solar ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of all types of cancer of the skin. Avoiding excessive exposure, use of sunscreen and protective clothing are effective preventive measures.
• Occupational hazards: Asbestos can cause lung cancer; aniline dyes have been linked to bladder cancer; and benzene can lead to leukaemia. The prevention of certain occupational and environmental exposure to these and other chemicals is another important element in preventing cancer.

Cara-cara Pencegahan Kanser yang spesifik

Risiko Kanser	Skrining Lawatan	Cadangan pencegahan
kanser payudara	Mamografi setiap tahun atau dua tahun sekali	1.Sendiri payudara pemeriksaan sebulan 2.Pemeriksaan payudara klinikal setahun
Kanser servikal	1. Pap smear setiap tahun 2. Ujian HPV	HPV Vaksinasi
Kanser Kolorektal	1.Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) setiap tahun 2.Kolonoskopi setiap 3-5 tahun	Tinggi serat diet
Kanser perut	endoskopi setiap tahun	Penghapusan Helicobacter pylori
Kanser Leukemia	Menyapu darah Peripheral
Kanser Hati	1.Skrining Hepatitis 2.Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) 3.Abdomen Ultrasound	1.Hepatitis B vaksin 2.Jelas hati lemak
Kanser Paru-paru	1.X-ray dada 2. CT paru-paru setiap 3 tahun	Program merokok pemberhentian
Kanser Nasofarinks	1.Nasopharyngoscopy 2.ELISA terhadap EBV khusus IgA
Kanser Mulut	Laringoskopi
Kanser Ovari	1.CA 125 setiap tahun 2.Pelvis ultrasound setiap tahun
Kanser Prostat	1.Pelvis ultrasound setiap tahun 2.Prostat-Specific Antigen (PSA) setiap tahun
Kanser Tiroid	1.Ultrasound tiroid 2.Imbasan tiroid

Cadangan pencegahan untuk semua jenis kanser:

• Rujukan pakar pemakanan (BMI> 25 kg/m2 atau tabiat pemakanan faktor risiko untuk kanser)
• Program merokok pemberhentian

Rujukan:

• American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2010. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society, 2010.
• Management of Breast Cancer 2010. Malaysian Clinical practice Guidelines.
• Management of Cervical Cancer. 2003. Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines.
• National Cancer Institute (U.S. National Institute of Health). Retrieved from World Wide Web 26 May 2011: http://www.cancer.org