Preventive Oncology

Preventive oncology is a discipline that focuses on ways to lower the incidence and mortality of cancer. The key measures include reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting frequent cancer screenings. Preventive oncology lowers the risk of cancer by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and identifying risk factors early.

Significance of Preventive Oncology

Preve­ntive oncology plays a vital role in public and individual health by:

•  Lowering Cancer Risk: Following preventive steps like lifestyle adjustments and vaccinations can decrease chances of lung, colorectal, breast, cervical and liver cancers.
•  Early Detection: Screening programs and monitoring help catch cancer early when treatments are more effective and outcomes generally better.
•  Boosting Survival: Timely detection and preventive measures improve survival rates, reducing cancer deaths.
•  Promoting Healthier Living: Emphasizing lifestyle changes reduces cancer risk and improves overall wellness, aiding disease prevention too.

Components of Preventive Oncology

• Lifestyle Tweaks: Encouraging healthier habits like quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, balanced fruit/veggie­-rich diet, limited alcohol, and sun protection are crucial for cancer prevention.
• Vaccines like the human papillomavirus (HPV) shot prevent cancers in areas such as the cervix, anus, and throat. The hepatitis B vaccine helps stop liver cancer development. Getting these crucial vaccinations is a key preventive measure.
• Screening tests - mammograms, Pap smears, colonoscopies, prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing, and low-dose CT scans for lung cancer  detect cancer early or find precancerous changes. These screening programs are used to catch problems before they worsen.
• Genetic counseling aids people with a family cancer history or genetic tendency. Evaluating risk allows for considering prevention strategies or closer monitoring. Counseling and testing provide valuable insights for high-risk individuals.
• Chemoprevention drugs like selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for breast cancer and aspirin for colorectal cancer may benefit some high-risk patients when prescribed by doctors. These medications can lower cancer chances under medical supervision.

Benefits 

The advantages of preventive oncology practices are substantial:

• Reduced chances of Cancer: Effective preventive actions reduce the number of certain cancer cases.
• Earlier Detection: Screening catches cancer sooner when it's more treatable, and less aggressive treatment is needed.
• Better Outcomes: Early detection and intervention frequently mean improved treatment results and greater survival rates.