The term "cancer prevention" may sound very medical and abstract at first. However, what lies behind it is not that complicated. First of all: prevention means nothing other than avoidance. Cancer prevention encompasses all measures aimed at reducing the risk of cancer, detecting cancer earlier or mitigating the consequences of an existing cancer.
There are three types of prevention.
Primary prevention
Primary prevention aims to prevent cancer from developing in the first place. The focus is on avoiding or minimizing cancer risk factors, as they can promote the development of cancer. These include, for example, smoking, alcohol consumption, an unhealthy diet or lack of exercise. Vaccinations against cancer-causing viruses are also part of primary prevention. Vaccination against human papillomaviruses (HPV), for example, can reduce the risk of cervical cancer and cancer of the anus, genital area and oropharynx.
Secondary prevention
Secondary prevention (also known as early detection) aims to detect cancer and its precursors as early as possible - at a time when the chances of recovery through effective treatment are usually best. This includes regular examinations for early detection and screening programs, such as mammography for early detection of breast cancer or colonoscopy for early detection of bowel cancer. These examinations are aimed at people who are symptom-free but are at increased risk due to their age, gender or other factors (e.g. genetic predisposition). In many cases, early detection enables more gentle treatment and can often significantly improve the chances of recovery.
Statutory cancer screening is aimed at people without a particular cancer risk. People with an increased risk of cancer - for example due to a previous illness or hereditary predisposition - should ask their doctor about additional screening tests.
Tertiary prevention
Tertiary prevention (also known as aftercare) is aimed at people who have already been diagnosed with cancer. The aim of follow-up care is to prevent recurrence or progression of the disease, detect secondary tumors at an early stage and improve quality of life. Depending on the type of cancer and medical assessment, the focus is on examinations designed to detect possible recurrences at an early stage. Measures to improve quality of life, to prevent or alleviate long-term or late effects of treatment and to cope with the disease also play a central role.
How does cancer actually develop?
Cancer develops when normal cells turn into tumor cells. The altered cells escape the body's own control mechanisms. They change their biological properties, invade healthy tissue, can destroy it and spread unchecked throughout the body. This is caused by damage to the cells' genetic material or errors in the reading of genetic information.
Various factors can contribute to the development of cancer. Some of these are preventable, others are not. Preventable and unavoidable influences can interact.
Unavoidable factors are, for example, random genetic errors in cell division, which can occur more frequently with advancing age, or a hereditary predisposition. On the other hand, the influence of lifestyle factors such as tobacco or alcohol consumption, an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, obesity and UV radiation is preventable. Pathogens and environmental factors also play a role as factors that can be influenced.