Prevention
Reduce exposure to cancer risk factors
Global Key Message
- Investment in the reduction of a population’s exposure to cancer risk factors is a long-term investment in the health of the population, which will also reduce the overall burden on the health system.
- Effective cancer prevention at the national level begins with a national cancer control plan (NCCP) that responds to a country’s cancer burden and cancer risk factor prevalence.
- A NCCP is designed to implement evidence-based resource-appropriate policies and programmes that reduce the level of exposure to risk factors for cancer and strengthen the capacity of individuals of all ages to adopt lifestyle choices that promote good health for life.
The Facts – Key data
- With the right strategies, the World Health Organization estimates that 30 to 50% of cancer cases could be prevented.
- Cancer and other high-prevalence non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are linked to common risk factors, namely tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, an unhealthy diet, and a lack of physical activity