Prevention

Abstract

In much of the world, cancer is now second only to cardiovascular disease as a cause of suffering, premature death and economic loss. It is estimated that 70%-80% of cancers are caused by environmental factors (although based on an individual genetic make-up that allows the development of cancer), and it is generally agreed that there are usually initiators and promoters of the cancer process giving us opportunities for prevention at both stages. Furthermore, it has been conclusively demonstrated that alteration in one ’s “lifestyle” results in a much lower cancer death rate, as exemplified by the Seventh Day Adventists and the Mormons in the United States, who have a much lower cancer death rate than the rest of the United States population. Other population groups with a low cancer risk are outlined by Enstrom and Kanim [Enstrom JE, Kanim LE (1983) Populations at low risk. In: Newell GR (ed) Cancer prevention in clinical medicine. Raven, New York, pp 49-78].