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Cancer prevention

Cancer is the leading cause of death among Canadian adults, and 1 in 2 Canadians will get cancer in their lifetime. Luckily, there are things you can do to prevent certain types of cancer. Learn more about what causes cancer and ways to help lower your risk of getting cancer.

Want to reduce your risk of cancer? Try these evidence-based tips

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Evidence Summary

Long-term aspirin use does not decrease the incidence of cancer in people who have not previously had cancer, compared to no aspirin use
Journal of Cancer (2020)
Web Resource Rating

Patient education: Quitting smoking (Beyond the Basics)
UpToDate - patient information

There are many strategies available to help you quit smoking. Start by picking a quit date. Consider speaking with a health care provider for advice, seeking in-person or telephone support, making behavioural changes, and using different medications such as varenicline, bupropion, or nicotine replacement therapy.
Evidence Summary

Selenium for preventing cancer.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
Web Resource Rating

Physical activity and cancer
National Cancer Institute

Physical activity can lower your chance of getting cancer. Exercise moderately for at least 2.5 hours every week. Exercise may also help improve your quality of life if you are a cancer survivor.
Web Resource Rating

Texting 2 quit - Using mobile phones to support people quit smoking
Evidently Cochrane

Support, in the form of education and nicotine replacement therapy, can increase your chances of quitting smoking. Counselling and text message support via mobile phone is a promising way to manage nicotine cravings. More research is needed as technology options change.
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Research review: Old data on dietary fats in context with current recommendations
Harvard School of Public Health

Researchers disagree on which fats should be included in our diet. Current dietary guidelines recommend replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats for better heart health.
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Sugary drinks
Harvard School of Public Health

Sugary drinks - such as soda, juice and energy drinks - are often high in calories and can lead to weight gain. Choose beverages that have little or no sugar added to them, such as water.
Web Resource Rating

Patient education: Factors that modify breast cancer risk in women (Beyond the Basics)
UpToDate - patient information

Lower your risk of breast cancer by exercising, not smoking and eating healthy. Environment, some medications and estrogen exposure can increase your risk. Some of the things you cannot change about your risk are age, ethnicity, and family history.
Web Resource Rating

Smoking Cessation: Fast Facts
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Tobacco use can result in the development of serious health issues and a dependence on tobacco or nicotine. This dependence can be treated and people who smoke can successfully quit. This resource provides information on smoking cessation behaviours in U.S. youth and adults.
Evidence Summary

Drugs for preventing lung cancer in healthy people.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2020)
Web Resource Rating

3 strategies to prevent overeating
Harvard School of Public Health

To reduce overeating, try to be more aware of how much you eat, cut down on sweet and salty foods, and eat when you are hungry, not to cope with stress. Avoid technology during meals and focus on the food you are eating.
Web Resource Rating

Obesity: Television watching and "sit time"
Harvard School of Public Health

More time spent watching television and sitting can increase your risk of obesity and related chronic diseases. Stay active and limit your sit time to help control your weight.
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Cancer prevention: 7 tips to reduce your risk
Mayo Clinic

To help prevent cancer: avoid tobacco and intense sun exposure, exercise, maintain a healthy body weight, and practice safe sex. Certain immunizations may also help and identifying cancer early increases your chances of successful treatment.
Web Resource Rating

Staying active
Harvard School of Public Health

Lower your 'sit time' and increase your 'fit time'. Exercise lowers your risk for: heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and some types of cancer. Exercise can also help improve your stress, sleep, risk of falling, mood and mental health.
Web Resource Rating

An update: New evidence on vitamins
Evidence-based Living

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is enough to satisfy your daily vitamin requirements. Unless your diet is lacking in some way, you do not need to take vitamins. Vitamins do little to prevent asthma, cancer or ear infections.
Web Resource Rating

Alcohol and cancer risk
National Cancer Institute

Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of getting certain types of cancer. Risk of some cancers are even greater for people who drink and smoke. Follow drinking guidelines to help lower your risk (details in this resource).
Web Resource Rating

Alcohol use and cancer
American Cancer Society

Alcohol is linked to many different types of cancer. Drinking alcohol regularly increases risk of head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast, or colorectal cancer. The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk. Recommended alcohol limits are no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
Web Resource Rating

Evidence-based exercise: What's the optimal amount?
Evidence-based Living

One hour of moderate exercise every day helps increase your chances of living longer. People who do not exercise are more likely to die early.
Web Resource Rating

If I switch to a vegetarian diet, will I lose weight?
Mayo Clinic

A vegetarian diet does not guarantee you will lose weight. You can gain weight if you eat large portion sizes or foods high in calories and fat. Eating a healthy diet and balancing the amount of calories you are consuming and burning is important to weight loss and maintenance.
Web Resource Rating

Fitness basics
Mayo Clinic

Make fitness a part of your daily routine to reduce your risk of chronic disease. Aim for 150 minutes of exercise each week as well as strength training at least twice a week.
Web Resource Rating

Fitness: walking for wellness
Health Link B.C.

An easy way to get exercise and to stay healthy is by walking. It is recommended that you have at least 2.5 hours of moderate activity a week. This can include brisk walking, cycling, or yard work. Set short-term goals and then work to increase them.
Web Resource Rating

Strength training
Mayo Clinic

Strength training can tone muscle and reduce body fat. Strength exercises can be done at home or in a gym. Use proper techniques in order to see improvements.
Web Resource Rating

Core exercises: Why you should strengthen your core muscles
Mayo Clinic

Core exercises can help improve your balance and posture. You can do these kind of exercises without going to the gym. This resource includes instructions for doing a bridge exercise to strengthen your core.
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Healthy eating
Patient.co.uk

A healthy diet can help prevent chronic diseases and manage your weight. A healthy diet includes fruits & vegetables, fiber, dairy and healthy proteins such as fish, nuts and beans. Limit fat, salt, and sugar. Example snack and meal ideas in this resource.
Web Resource Rating

Detecting non-melanoma skin cancer
Informed Health Online

Skin changes are a normal part of aging. Regularly check your skin for any changes. See your doctor if you notice a change or wound that doesn't go away within 4 weeks.
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WHO report says eating processed meat is carcinogenic: Understanding the findings
Harvard School of Public Health

Red meat and processed meat may increase your risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. For a healthy diet, reduce your intake of red meat and avoid processed meat.
Web Resource Rating

Weight loss: Strategies for success
Mayo Clinic

A lower calorie diet and regular exercise with realistic goals can help you successfully lose weight. For long-term weight loss focus on changing your lifestyle, rather than temporary changes.
Web Resource Rating

Risk reduction strategies for vaginal cancer
Canadian Cancer Society

Get the HPV vaccine, limit your sexual partners and use a condom to lower your risk of vaginal cancer. Have regular pap tests and avoid smoking. This resource includes questions to ask your doctor about vaginal cancer.
Web Resource Rating

Alcohol and sensible drinking
Patient.co.uk

Drinking above recommended limits increases the risk of developing serious problems.
Web Resource Rating

A closer look at Dr. Oz’s 15 superfoods
Science-based Medicine

Be skeptical of so-called "superfoods". Claims that these are the "key to weight loss" are based on poor evidence and dietary advice. This resource reviews the evidence on 15 "superfoods" including beans, fennel and chili peppers.
Web Resource Rating

Drinks to consume in moderation
Harvard School of Public Health

Artificially sweetened drinks, diet drinks, 100% fruit juice, milk, and alcohol should be consumed in moderation.
Blog Post

Preventing lung cancer: Do supplements have a role to play?

Research highlights the lack of effectiveness and safety concerns associated with the use of supplements for lung cancer prevention.
Blog Post

Fact or fiction: Research sheds light on the safety and effectiveness of aspirin as a preventative strategy

Over the years, the use of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events, dementia, and cancer has emerged as a topic of conversation and debate. Do claims of aspirin’s preventative powers hold true? The current evidence doesn’t show much promise.
Blog Post

Medicine cabinet check! Can we use aspirin to combat cancer?

From fever reduction to pain relief, many of us use aspirin as a way to treat common conditions or illnesses that occur in our daily lives. But does the research support its use for cancer prevention?
Blog Post

Fact or fiction: Research reveals the truth about common supplements

There are many claims out there about the health benefits of dietary supplements, but not all claims are backed by evidence. Talk to your health care provider about which supplements may be beneficial to you.
Blog Post

Can exercise trim your risk for breast cancer recurrence?

Exercise can have benefits for women who have gone through breast cancer treatment. But can it prevent breast cancer’s return? Unfortunately, the jury is still out.
Blog Post

Selenium and cancer: Friends or foes?

Selenium has been touted to have anti-cancer properties, but new research suggests that selenium supplements may be too much of a good thing.
Blog Post

Make 'happy hour' healthier: limit your alcohol to reduce your cancer risk

Alcohol and cancer: research evidence links drinking alcohol to increased cancer risk. What are the recommended guidelines?
Blog Post

Be "sun smart" to avoid skin cancer

How to reduce your risk of skin cancer. Evidence-based insights about preventing and detecting melanoma from McMaster University.
Blog Post

Do dietary supplements help reduce cancer risk?

Taking steps to reduce your risk of cancer? Eat well and exercise regularly. But what about dietary supplements, do they help? Find out what the research says!
Blog Post

Move more, sit less to reduce your risk of cancer

Want to reduce your risk of cancer? Exercise regularly. Mounting research evidence connects a sedentary lifestyle to serious health issues, including cancer.
Blog Post

A healthy diet can reduce your risk of cancer

Eating healthy food is the key to living well and avoiding disease - including cancer. What should you put on your plate - and what should you avoid?
Blog Post

Want to reduce your risk of cancer? Try these evidence-based tips

Research reiterates what you may already know about reducing your risk of cancer. It's worth confirming again. Your life could depend on it!

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