Cancer Prevention Resource Center
Welcome to the Cancer Prevention Resource Center.
The State Health Plan’s mission is simple: to empower you with the knowledge and tools to reduce your risk of cancer and live a healthier life. Here, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based resources on cancer prevention, early detection, and healthy lifestyle choices.
PREVENTION: Early Detection
You can lower your risk of many common kinds of cancer by keeping an eye on your health. A yearly physical with your health care provider can help you stay on track. Your health care provider can order important preventive screening tests and immunizations to help keep you healthy. Screening tests can find some cancers early, when treatment is most effective. While certain vaccines can help prevent several kinds of cancer from developing.
Cancer Screening Tests
Screening tests are performed before symptoms appear. Getting regular screenings may find breast, cervical, colorectal (colon), and lung cancers early, when treatment is likely to work best. The type of screening you need depends on your age, gender and medical condition. It’s important to have a yearly physical with your health care provider to discuss the type of screening you need.
Types of Screenings
For many women, mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. It is recommended that women who are 40 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every 2 years. Different screening recommendations may be used for women at higher-than-average risk. Talk to your doctor about when to start and how often to get a screening mammogram.
Click here to learn more about screening for breast cancer.
The HPV test and the Pap test are screening tests that can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early. You should start getting Pap tests at age 21. If you are 30 years old or older, talk to your doctor about testing options.
Click here to learn more about screening for cervical cancer.
Getting screened regularly is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. If you are 45 years old or older, talk to your doctor about screening. If you think you may be at increased risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about when to begin screening, which test is right for you, and how often to get tested.
Click here to learn more about screening for colorectal cancer.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. More men and women die in the United States from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. A yearly lung cancer screening with low dose computed tomography (LDCT) is recommended for people who:
- Have a history of heavy smoking, and
- Smoke now or quit within the past 15 years, and
- Are between 50 and 80 years old.
Click here to learn more about screening for lung cancer.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and tanning beds appears to be the most important environmental factor involved with developing skin cancer. Protection from UV rays is important all year, not just during the summer.
Click here to learn more about screening for skin Cancer.
PREVENTION: Vaccines
Some vaccines can help prevent cancer. Below is a summary of some of the vaccines that may prevent certain cancers.
Types of Vaccines
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is estimated to cause nearly 36,500 cases of cancer in men and women every year in the United States. The HPV vaccination can prevent 90% of these cancers by preventing the infections that cause them.
Click here to learn more about cancers caused by HPV.
The hepatitis B vaccine is another important cancer preventing immunization. Hep B vaccine helps to prevent hepatitis B infection protecting from liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is available for all age groups to prevent HBV infection. U.S. Centers for Control and Prevention recommends hepatitis B testing for all adults at least once in their lifetime.
Click here to learn more about hepatitis B prevention and control.
Healthy Choices
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, being overweight or having obesity are linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancers. These cancers make up 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year. Keeping a healthy weight is an important step you can take to lower your risk of getting cancer.
Click here to learn more about obesity and cancer.
A healthy diet can help you look and feel better, reduce risks for health problems and help you maintain your strength and energy level. People with healthy eating patterns often live longer and have a lower risk for serious health problems, including cancer.
Click here for tips for maintaining a healthy weight.
Physical activity is one of the best things people can do to improve their health. Physical activity provides many immediate and long-term benefits. Active people generally live longer and have a decreased risk for serious health problems including some cancers.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of physical activity.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drinking alcohol raises your risk of getting 6 kinds of cancer. The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk for cancer. You can lower you risk for cancer by drinking less alcohol or not drinking at all.
Click here to learn more about alcohol and cancer.
Cigarette smoking
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, and cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths. Click here to learn more about tobacco and cancer.
Secondhand smoke
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoke from other people's cigarettes, pipes, or cigars also causes lung cancer. When you breathe in secondhand smoke, it's like you are smoking. Click here to learn more about health problems caused by secondhand smoke.
Avoid E-Cigarettes (Vapes)
No tobacco products, including e-cigarettes are safe. Aerosol from e-cigarettes can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances. These include cancer-causing chemicals and tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. Click here to learn more about e-cigarettes.