Research studies have shown that some types of cancer are linked to an individual genetics (traits inherited from biological parents), lifestyle, and environmental exposures, although causes for a large proportion of cancers remain unknown. Some risk factors for cancer can be modified (see below). Other factors, such as family history, cannot be altered. However, finding out about family history and genetic risks for cancer can help with early detection and better treatment. The May 26, 2004, issue of JAMA includes several articles about cancer.
Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of cancer. Cigarette smoking is linked to many different kinds of cancer and at least one third of all cancer deaths. More than 40 compounds in cigarette smoke have been identified as carcinogenic cancer-causing).
Obesity and overweight have been linked to development of several cancers, including breast, colon, and uterine. Eating healthful foods in smaller portions can help to reduce or maintain weight in a healthful range.
Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables every day.
Limit your intake of saturated fats from meats, full-fat dairy products, and processed foods.
Include high-fiber choices (whole-grain breads and cereals, raw fruits and vegetables).
Avoid foods that have been charred or blackened because they may have higher levels of carcinogens.
Excessive alcohol use has been shown to cause esophageal cancer and oral cancers and has been linked to development of other types of cancers as well.
Exposure to sun and tanning beds is a risk factor for skin cancer.
Stay out of the sun during high-exposure times (10 AM-4 PM).
Use sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15.
Wear protective clothing, including sunglasses.
Avoid tanning in either natural or artificial sunlight.
Physical inactivity has been linked to development of several cancers, including colon and breast cancer. Regular exercise reduces these risks and brings many health benefits.
Some type of regular exercise should be done most days of the week for at least 30 minutes. Even small efforts to increase your daily physical activity can be helpful (taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking farther away and walking, taking walks with friends or a dog).
Be aware of radiation (x-ray) and chemical hazards at your home or place of employment. Materials safety data sheets (MSDSs) contain information about carcinogens and should be available if you work with hazardous materials.
American Cancer Society 800/227-2345 http://www.cancer.org
National Cancer Institute 800/4-CANCERhttp://www.cancer.gov or http://www.nci.nih.gov
National Comprehensive Cancer Network 888/909-NCCN http://www.nccn.org
To find this and previous JAMA Patient Pages, go to the Patient Page link on JAMA's Web site at http://www.jama.com. A Patient Page on stomach cancer was published in the January 14, 2004, issue; one on colon cancer screening was published in the March 12, 2003, issue; one on lung cancer was published in the January 15, 2003, issue; one on ovarian cancer was published in the July 17, 2002, issue; and one on cancer and children was published in the April 10, 2002, issue.
Sources: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. Any other print or online reproduction is subject to AMA approval. To purchase bulk reprints, call 718/946-7424.
TOPIC: CANCER
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
Instructions
Comments are moderated and will appear on the site at the discretion of the Journal of American Medical Association editors. Comments should not exceed 500 words of text and 10 references.
Do not submit personal medical questions or information that could identify a specific patient, questions about a particular case, or general inquiries to an author. Only content that has not been published, posted, or submitted elsewhere should be submitted. By submitting this Comment, you and any coauthors transfer copyright to the journal if your Comment is posted.
* = Required Field
Disclosure of Any Conflicts of Interest* Indicate all relevant conflicts of interest of each author below, including all relevant financial interests, activities, and relationships within the past 3 years including, but not limited to, employment, affiliation, grants or funding, consultancies, honoraria or payment, speakers’ bureaus, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, royalties, donation of medical equipment, or patents planned, pending, or issued. If all authors have none, check "No potential conflicts or relevant financial interests" in the box below. Please also indicate any funding received in support of this work. The information will be posted with your response.
Register and get free email Table of Contents alerts, saved searches, PowerPoint downloads, CME quizzes, and more
Subscribe for full-text access to content from 1998 forward and a host of useful features
Activate your current subscription (AMA members and current subscribers)
Some tools below are only available to our subscribers or users with an online account.
Download citation file:
Customize your page view by dragging & repositioning the boxes below.
The Rational Clinical Examination Make the Diagnosis: Cancer, Family History
The Rational Clinical Examination Original Article: Does This Patient Have a Family History of Cancer?
All results at JAMAevidence.com >
and access these and other features:
Register Now
Enter your username and email address. We'll send you a reminder to the email address on record.
Athens and Shibboleth are access management services that provide single sign-on to protected resources. They replace the multiple user names and passwords necessary to access subscription-based content with a single user name and password that can be entered once per session. It operates independently of a user's location or IP address. If your institution uses Athens or Shibboleth authentication, please contact your site administrator to receive your user name and password.