Cancer Prevention
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Europe, yet up to 40% of cases are preventable.
The trend of cancer incidence in recent years shows a rapid increase. Women up to the age of 45 are more likely to get cancer than men, and the picture is reversed after this age.
According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is the second leading cause of death in Europe after cardiovascular disease. The main risk factors are smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, lack of fruit and vegetables in the diet, lack of physical activity, exposure to carcinogenic substances.
In every tumour there is a stage of so-called local (indigenous) development when it has not metastasised. The curative effect at this stage is greatest. In advanced tumors, treatment is low effective and requires a large arsenal of curative approaches at great cost. Therefore, the fight against cancer should focus on the detection and treatment of early stages of malignancy, their prevention and so-called precancerous conditions (precancers).
How people can help themselves: Make healthy lifestyle choices that include avoiding tobacco use, being physically active, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol and staying safe in the sun. Know the signs and symptoms of cancer and guidelines for early detection because early detection leads to easier and more successful treatment.
