Developing and maintaining healthful habits and behaviors, especially not using tobacco, being physically active, and eating a healthful diet can prevent many cancers. Evidence suggests that tobacco smoking causes about 90% of lung cancers and one-third of all cancer deaths, and another one-third of all cancers may be due to poor diet, lack of physical activity, and related obesity.
- Tobacco. About 5,000 Connecticut residents die each year from smoking
related illnesses, about 2,000 of which are cancers.
- Nutrition and physical activity. Eating more fruits and vegetables and
exercising regularly may lower risk of developing some cancers. Obesity is associated
with increased risk for many cancers.
- Environmental exposures, especially sun. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation
from the sun and artificial tanning devices is associated with an increase
in both melanoma of the skin and the more common non-melanoma skin cancers.
- Excessive alcohol use. Excessive consumption of alcohol is
associated with oral, laryngeal, pharyngeal, liver, and esophageal,
cancers and possibly other cancers.
- Unprotected sex. Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted by sexual contact, is an established cause of cervical cancer in women.
The Prevention Committee is focusing primarily on tobacco use, poor diet, and physical inactivity, because they have proven to be significant risk factors for cancer. In addition, the Prevention Committee is working to coordinate efforts among its partners to address other risk factors, including environmental exposures, especially sun, excessive alcohol use, and unprotected sex.
Click on the link below to download the Prevention chapter of the Connecticut
Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.
Preventing Cancer Before It Starts
(PDF, 712 KB)
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