Cancer prevention

The advice is based on WHO’s cancer recommendations (see link at the bottom of the page).

Cancer is caused by damage to DNA, which results in cells losing their ability to regulate cell division and death, leading to uncontrolled growth. DNA damage can be inherited, occur by chance, or arise as a result of exposure to carcinogenic substances, infections, or lifestyle-related factors. Some of these factors are within our control, and here we present 12 recommendations that may help reduce the risk of several of the most common types of cancer.

Below you will find 12 pieces of advice on what you can do to reduce your risk of cancer.

Don’t smoke and keep your home smoke-free

• Smoking is the leading cause of cancer cases worldwide. It is a known cause of a wide range of cancers: cancer of the mouth and throat, esophagus, larynx, stomach, colon and rectum, liver, pancreas, lung, cervix, ovaries, kidneys, and bladder, as well as leukemia.
• Smokers have up to 20 times higher risk of developing lung cancer.
• There is no safe lower limit for either smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke.
• By eliminating tobacco smoking, around 5,240 cancer cases could be prevented in Norway each year, which represents approximately 15% of all cases.

Maintain a healthy body weight

• Having a normal body weight helps prevent the development of cancer.
• Overweight and obesity are linked to an increased risk of the following cancers: mouth, throat and larynx, esophagus, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas, liver, colon and rectum, breast (after menopause), endometrium, ovaries, aggressive prostate cancer, kidneys — and likely several more.
• In Norway, around 60% of adult men and 50% of adult women are overweight or obese. By eliminating overweight and obesity, about 1,250 cancer cases could be prevented each year.

Be physically active every day

• All adults and the elderly should engage in regular physical activity for at least 150 to 300 minutes at moderate intensity each week and limit sedentary time.
• Being physically active has been shown to reduce the risk of breast, colorectal, and endometrial cancer, and may also be beneficial for several other types of cancer.
• Physical activity helps reduce various health issues and supports the maintenance of a healthy body weight.
• Staying active during and after cancer treatment can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
• If everyone were sufficiently physically active, about 900 cancer cases could be prevented each year.

Eat a healthy diet

• Following the Norwegian dietary guidelines can reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. A healthy diet also helps maintain a normal body weight.
• The strongest evidence for diet affecting cancer risk relates to colorectal cancer. Here, fiber-rich foods and dairy products have a protective effect, while consumption of processed and red meat should be minimized. Salted and salt-preserved foods increase the risk of stomach cancer. Foods and drinks high in sugar increase the risk of overweight and obesity.
• Be cautious with dietary supplements—some supplements may increase cancer risk.

Drink as little alcohol as possible

• Alcohol increases the risk of several types of cancer, including those of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, colon and rectum, and breast.
• There is no safe lower limit for alcohol intake, regardless of the type (beer, wine, or spirits).
• Completely eliminating alcohol consumption could prevent about 720 cancer cases in Norway each year.

Protect yourself from excessive sun exposure

• The sun and tanning beds are the main risk factors for skin cancer—even without sunburn.
  For the best protection, seek shade, wear clothing, a hat, and sunglasses, and use generous amounts of sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) if other protection is not possible. Avoid tanning beds. Combine these strategies and schedule outdoor activities during times when the sun is not at its strongest.
• Without sunburns and tanning bed use, about 2,800 cases of skin cancer could be prevented each year.

Protect yourself from carcinogenic substances

• Some workplaces may expose individuals to carcinogenic substances and environmental factors:
• Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (sun exposure and carcinogenic chemicals)
• Construction (asbestos, sun, silica, diesel exhaust, coal production, paints, and solvents)
• Manufacturing and mining industries (fossil fuels such as mineral oil, coal production, benzene and diesel exhaust, asbestos, silica, solvents, nickel, and UV)
• Service industries (UV, secondhand smoke, diesel exhaust)
• Shift work may also increase the risk for certain cancers.

Reduce pollution – both indoors and outdoors

• We can all help reduce air pollution by not smoking and by using public transportation, walking, or cycling where possible.
• Radon is a gas found in bedrock and is the most significant cause of lung cancer after smoking.
  Around 370 people in Norway develop lung cancer annually due to radon exposure, and the risk is higher for smokers.

Vaccinate your children against HPV and Hepatitis B

Several infections are linked to increased cancer risk:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common sexually transmitted virus. Most people clear the infection, but persistent HPV can cause cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the mouth, throat, anus, vulva, and penis. The HPV vaccine is included in the childhood immunization program and is offered to all children in 7th grade.
• Untreated Hepatitis B infection can lead to liver cancer. Hepatitis B spreads through blood and other bodily fluids and is uncommon in Norway but more common in countries in the Southern Hemisphere.
  All children in Norway are offered the Hepatitis B vaccine as part of the routine immunization program. The vaccine is part of the hexavalent vaccine, which also protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and hepatitis B.

Take part in organized screening programs

Screening involves mass examinations of individuals who are otherwise healthy, with the goal of detecting cancer at an early stage and removing precancerous changes.

Detecting cancer early can reduce the need for extensive treatment and lead to fewer long-term side effects and improved quality of life. While there are some disadvantages to screening, the benefits are considered to outweigh the risks.

It’s your choice, but the Cancer Registry of Norway recommends participation in the national screening programs.

Breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of breast cancer

Women who have breastfed have a lower risk of breast cancer than women who have had children but did not breastfeed. The reason is likely that breastfeeding reduces prolonged exposure of breast tissue to estrogen over time, which may help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

Limit the use of hormones during menopause

Women experiencing severe menopausal symptoms are sometimes prescribed hormones. Those who still have their uterus are usually prescribed a combination of estrogen and a progestogen, either in tablet form or as a patch.This combination therapy increases the risk of breast cancer, and the risk grows the longer the treatment is used.