Cancer affects all communities, some disproportionately more than others. That’s why it’s vital to learn as much as possible about how to decrease cancer risk.
With medical breakthroughs in early cancer diagnostics and treatment, today we have tools to fight back against cancer and resources to foster the best possible outcomes. These developments help us identify ways to improve our chances of going through life cancer-free and feeling better physically while receiving cancer treatments, whenever needed.
The likelihood of cancer survival, and living cancer-free for many years, keeps rising. Today there are more cancer survivors in the U.S. than ever. For all cancers, the five-year “relative survival rate” – defined as life expectancy compared to the general population – is two-thirds, or 66 percent.
But even with advancements in medicine, cancer remains a formidable foe. It’s projected to claim the lives of about 600,000 Americans in 2023, or about 1,670 deaths per day. It’s the second biggest killer in the U.S., topped only by heart disease.
Cancer’s health equity gap
For many reasons, people of color and those living on lower income are at a greater risk for cancer. They disproportionately face worse environmental quality, which can increase the risk for health problems overall, including a higher risk of cancer. The National Cancer Institute recognizes that disparities in access to treatment in addition to cancer risk continue to affect underserved communities.
According to the NAACP, Black communities bear a disproportionate share of the cancer burden, with the highest death rate and the lowest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group for most cancers.
Reducing your risk
Knowledge is power when it comes to cancer, because healthy actions can lower your risk. The American Cancer Society reports that at least two in five newly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. – about 820,000 cases in 2023 – are potentially avoidable.
Cases caused by smoking – nearly one in five – might have been avoided. About the same percent caused by excess body weight, alcohol use and a lack of good nutrition and physical activity might also have been avoided.
Thanks to extensive research on cancer causes, we now have a roadmap – to do what we can to stay as healthy as possible by avoiding some of the environmental hazards known to cause cancer in the first place.
Arm yourself with information
Scientists’ understanding of cancer prevention has grown significantly in recent decades. We understand more about links to exposures to known and probable carcinogens and cancer risks.
Published research shows the association between higher risk of cancer and scores of chemicals that contaminate air, food, water and products used in daily life. A recent study in the U.K. found a connection between cancer and consumption of ultra-processed food. A recent French study discovered an association between cancer and artificial sweetener.
Understanding all these potentially cancer-causing chemicals is a great first step toward reducing your risk.
In addition, you can:
- Check out our guide to the top five cancer-causing chemicals in daily life
- Consult EWG’s databases to find out what contaminants are in the products you use every day: the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™, Skin Deep®, Guide to Healthy Cleaners, and Tap Water Database.
- Communicate regularly with your health care provider to make sure you’re getting all recommended cancer screenings.
