Cancer is fast becoming a major health problem in India. As per the Globocan data 2020, in India, Breast cancer accounted for 13.5% (178361) of all cancer cases and 10.6% (90408) of all deaths with a cumulative risk of 2.81. Current trends point out that a higher proportion of the disease is occurring at a younger age in Indian women, as compared to the West. According to an ICMR study, one in nine Indians will develop cancer during their lifetime. Unfortunately, one in 68 men will develop lung cancer and one in 29 women will develop breast cancer.

Cancer is a Preventable Disease that Requires Major Lifestyle Changes.

Cancer is caused by both internal factors (such as inherited mutations, hormones, and immune conditions) and environmental/acquired factors (such as tobacco, diet, radiation, and infectious organisms. The evidence indicates that of all cancer-related deaths, almost 25–30% are due to tobacco, as many as 30–35% are linked to diet, about 15–20% are due to infections, and the remaining percentage are due to other factors like radiation, stress, physical activity, environmental pollutants etc.

Tobacco consumption in any form is the most common preventable cause of cancer. Tobacco consists of nearly 700 chemicals , out of which at least 50 are known to cause cancer. In India ,the prevalence of smoking is gradually increasing.

Nutrition and cancer

An overall healthy dietary pattern has the potential to lower cancer risk by 10-20%. The association between diet and cancer incidence varies by cancer sites and also by sex, but the recommended components of a healthy diet are often similar.

Maintain a healthy weight

In a meta-analysis conducted by the WCRF/AICR, there is convincing evidence that carrying extra fat mass, marked by a higher body mass index (BMI), greater waist circumference, and greater waist-to-hip ratio, significantly increases the risk of several cancers.

Foods to avoid ?

• Heavy consumption of red meat is a risk factor for several cancers, especially for those of the gastrointestinal tract.  
• Charcoal cooking and/or smoke curing of meat produces harmful carbon compounds such as pyrolysates and amino acids, which have a strong cancerous effect. 

Are there foods that prevent cancer? 

There are no ‘super foods’ that can guarantee you won’t get cancer. But there are some foods that can reduce the risk, particularly when it comes to bowel cancer:

• High-fibre foods : There is strong evidence that eating whole grains protects against colorectal cancer, and that eating foods containing dietary fiber protects against colorectal cancer, weight gain, overweight, and obesity, which, increases the risk of many cancers.
• Fruits and Vegetables: The strongest evidence of a relationship between diet and cancer has long been related to the benefit of the consumption of least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. This is mainly due to the effects of specific agents contained in fruits and vegetables, such as carotenoids, selenium, folic acid, fiber, and vitamins C and E.
• Limit alcohol consumption : There is strong evidence that consumption of alcoholic drinks is a cause of cancers of the mouth, pharynx and larynx, esophagus (squamous cell carcinoma), liver, colorectum, and breast (particularly postmenopausal). Every 10 grams of alcohol (as ethanol) consumed per day elevated the risks of these cancers by 4-25%. The evidence shows that alcoholic drinks of all types have a similar impact on cancer risk.
• Limit “fast” foods. Fast foods are readily available convenience foods that tend to be energy-dense and are often consumed in large portions. Most of the evidence on fast foods is from studies looking at burgers, fried chicken, French fries, and high-calorie drinks(containing sugar, such as soda; or unhealthy fats, such as shakes).

Menstrual Hygiene and cancer in women

In a case–control study evaluating various risk factors for cervical cancer in high-risk women, poor hygiene (infrequent washing of genitalia) during menstruation was associated with a heightened risk for cervical cancer by causing recurrent sexually transmitted infections.

Practices such as vaginal douching, use of tampons, sprays/wipes, and powders have in fact been implicated in carcinogenesis. Hence, genital hygiene in women involves allowing the vagina to cleanse itself naturally.

Some hygiene tips to follow during periods that can prevent cancer.

• Frequent changing of pads-every 3 to 4 hours
• Maintain proper hygiene and keep your vaginal area clean
• Avoid using public washrooms
• Look out for any rashes/itching around your vaginal area. 
• Clean the reusable pads properly
• Wear a comfortable and clean underwear
• Discard your sanitary pads properly or it may become a breeding ground for infections.

Vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for prevention of cervical cancer.

Vaccines are available that can help protect children and young adults against certain HPV infections. These vaccines protect against infection with the HPV types most commonly linked to cancer, as well as some types that can cause anal and genital warts.

Screening pap smear test and HPV test find conditions that may lead to cancers and can find pre-cancers before they can turn into invasive cancer.