Five tips to prevent or reduce cancer risks

Overall cancer mortality in the U.S. continues to decline, yet women under age 50 face increasing incidence rates for breast cancer, uterine cancer and colorectal cancer, according to a newly released report from the American Cancer Society.

What can we do to protect ourselves?

Dr. Anthony Costales, a gynecologic oncologist at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, offers five tips to help women of all ages prevent or reduce their risk of cancer. Costales is an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine.

1. Stay on top of regular screenings – and know when to start them

For women, we focus on the prevention of cervical cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. It’s extremely important for women to know when to begin those screenings. For example, women at usual risk should begin cervical cancer screening typically at age 21 with a Pap test. At age 25, we start incorporating the HPV test. Breast cancer screening starts at 40. And colon cancer screening should now begin earlier, at age 45. These screenings are key to detecting cancer early when it is most treatable.

The patient’s primary care provider should initiate these screenings and be up to date on current guidelines, whether it’s their OB/GYN, an internal medicine doctor or a family physician.

There may still be some confusion among patients as to when they need a Pap smear, following the revised guidelines, he noted. A good rule of thumb is every woman needs, at a minimum, an annual gynecologic exam that includes a pelvic exam and a speculum, or visual examination, of the vagina and cervix.

2. Get vaccinated

The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes approximately 90 to 95% of all cervical cancers. The HPV vaccine is a cancer prevention vaccine. It is not a sex vaccine. Parents are strongly encouraged to vaccinate their daughters and sons for prevention against HPV-related cancers, which includes not only cervical cancer but vaginal cancer, oral cancer, throat cancer and anal cancer.

3. Learn your family history now

Patients should be aware of their family history so they know if they need to get tested. Talk with your relatives and learn about any family members who have had cancer. There are so many things we can do today, for example, in cases where patients have the BRCA gene mutation, to prevent and reduce their cancer risks.

4. Know the hormone replacement guidelines – estrogen + progesterone, if you have a uterus.

During menopause, if you seek help for symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats and still have a uterus, you need to be on both estrogen and progesterone, he emphasized. The progesterone is extremely important in preventing the development of uterine cancer.

5. Make healthy lifestyle choices

All women can prevent or reduce their risk of cancer by changing their day-to-day habits. Some common recommendations include maintaining a healthy diet and weight, getting enough exercise and sleep, avoiding tobacco products and overconsumption of alcohol, practicing safe sex and wearing sunscreen.

A final word, for caregivers

I have patients who come to me and tell me they’ve had an issue for a while, but they put it on the back burner while they cared for a sick partner or aging parents. I think that’s really representative of how women are typically the caretakers and keep the household running.

To take care of others, women need to take care of themselves. You know your body and what’s normal. If you experience a change, like bleeding after menopause, a potential sign of uterine cancer, or feel full quickly after eating, a possible sign of ovarian cancer, talk to your doctor – don’t wait.

By Sharon Dearman, a writer with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology