All articles tagged with #cancer prevention
An oncologist highlights six research-backed benefits of daily black coffee — potential lower risk of premature death, reduced risk of several chronic diseases, liver protection, lower diabetes risk, possible cancer associations, and brain health support — while stressing that these are associations, caffeine tolerance varies, and coffee should complement, not replace, good sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet.
A phase 1 trial by Oxford and Moderna is testing an mRNA vaccine (INTERCEPT – Lynch) designed to help the immune system identify and eliminate very early cancer changes in people with Lynch syndrome, potentially shifting care from treatment to prevention; the first participant, Sarah Ewart, marks a step toward validating safety and immune response with a plan to move to phase 2 across UK centres if successful.
In Piñas, Ecuador, twin sisters María Luisa and María del Cisne have Laron syndrome, a rare growth-hormone insensitivity disorder. Researchers suggest that very low IGF-1 levels may reduce cancer and diabetes risk, potentially guiding future prevention therapies, though more research is needed and access to treatments like Increlex is limited; one sister later battled colon cancer, underscoring ongoing challenges.
A large, 13-year study of about 355,000 adults found that drinking five or more cups of coffee daily—whether caffeinated or decaf—is linked to significantly lower risks of liver cancer (47%), cirrhosis (32%), and death from liver disease (42%), reinforcing coffee's potential liver-protective effects due to anti-inflammatory compounds and chlorogenic acid.
A Parade health article cites two oncologists who say cancer risk is shaped by long‑term dietary patterns rather than any one food. They warn against regular use of processed-meat toppings (like bacon bits/jams) because of carcinogenic risk, and against sugar‑heavy barbecue sauces that can promote weight gain and inflammation. The doctors advocate Mediterranean-style eating with more plants and healthier condiments (mustard, fresh salsa, chimichurri, hummus, tzatziki, or olive oil–vinegar dressings) to flavor meals, emphasizing small, consistent changes over time to lower cancer risk.
Liver cancer deaths are rising globally, including in the UK, with most cases linked to preventable liver disease caused by obesity, type 2 diabetes, excess alcohol, and viral hepatitis. At least 60% of primary liver cancers may be preventable by addressing these risk factors. Early detection and lifestyle changes can reduce risk and improve survival, but without urgent government action—such as restricting alcohol and ultra-processed foods, expanding addiction services and hepatitis testing, and implementing policy reforms—the trend is unlikely to reverse.
A Lancet review of UK data shows that from 2020–2024, no cervical cancer deaths occurred among women aged 20–24, where 23 deaths would have been expected without the HPV vaccination program, marking a major step in cancer prevention though vaccine uptake and hesitancy remain challenges in other countries.
Twenty years after the HPV vaccine’s approval, HPV-related cancers—especially head and neck cancers in men—are rising, even as vaccination and screening have reduced cervical cancer. HPV is transmitted sexually and can silently cause tumors in the throat, making early detection difficult. Vaccination coverage among teens is improving but remains incomplete, while studies show vaccinated individuals have significantly lower oral HPV infections and cancer risk. The piece centers on Michael Whelan’s battle with late-stage HPV-driven cancer to highlight the vaccine’s potential to prevent future cases and reduce suffering, urging broader awareness and uptake.
New observational studies presented at ASCO suggest GLP-1 medications used for diabetes and weight loss (e.g., semaglutide, liraglutide) are associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer and, among those diagnosed, reduced progression and mortality. While promising, the studies cannot prove causation, and researchers are planning randomized trials to test whether GLP-1 drugs can help prevent breast cancer or improve outcomes in high-risk individuals.
At ASCO's annual meeting, several studies suggest GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may reduce cancer risk and improve outcomes: in 110,000 women, a 30% lower incidence of breast cancer; in 27,000 breast cancer patients, a 30% lower risk of death when added to standard treatment; and in 12,000 patients with multiple cancers, a 38–50% lower likelihood of progressing to stage IV. The findings are observational and not yet definitive; more research is needed to determine whether benefits come from weight loss or direct anti-cancer effects, though anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory mechanisms are plausible.
A Nature Medicine study links nearly 40% of cancers and about half of cancer deaths to preventable factors like tobacco use, obesity, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, alcohol, and air pollution. Chronic exposure to these habits can foster inflammation that promotes cancer over time. Emphasizing early detection and regular screening, the article advocates simple daily changes—maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and avoiding tobacco—to significantly reduce risk, while noting that not all cancers are preventable.
Dr. Ruchir Tandon says about 40% of cancers are preventable and that everyday habits— quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating fiber-rich vegetables and olive oil, limiting processed meats and alcohol, protecting the skin, and prioritizing sleep—collectively reduce cancer risk. He notes small, sustained lifestyle changes compound over time, and pairing these with age-appropriate cancer screening can significantly shift the odds in favour of prevention.
A Baylor College of Medicine-led study analysed wastewater from more than 40 sites across 16 Texas cities (May 2022–May 2025) using hybrid-capture sequencing to detect all major oncogenic viruses, including HPV, hepatitis B and C, EBV and Kaposi’s sarcoma–related herpesvirus; the study found increases in HPV, EBV and some polyomaviruses after 2024 and detected all nine HPV types targeted by Gardasil 9 in wastewater, suggesting environmental monitoring could track cancer risk and measure vaccination impact for prevention and health surveillance.
A large study finds the HPV vaccine halves the risk of HPV-related cancers in men; protection is strongest when vaccinated early (about 42% reduction for ages 9–14 and about 50% for ages 15–26), with catch-up vaccination up to 26 and shared clinical decision‑making for 27–45. Public health guidance emphasizes routine vaccination at ages 11–12 to prevent cancer across sexes and expand protection against multiple HPV strains.
New trials and analyses indicate daily aspirin—especially at low doses (75–100 mg)—can significantly reduce colorectal cancer risk in high-risk groups like Lynch syndrome, with evolving evidence that this benefit may extend to other cancers. Guideline updates in the UK and Sweden reflect confidence in targeted use, but experts caution that aspirin’s risks (bleeding, ulcers) require medical supervision and that research continues to clarify mechanisms (Cox-2 and thromboxane pathways) and optimal dosing.