Most people have learned that your genes play a role in your cancer risk. But did you know that genetics aren’t the main cause of cancer? Things in your lifestyle and environment play a much bigger part.
In the WebMD webinar "Taking Control of Your Cancer Risk,"John Whyte, MD, MPH, WebMD's chief medical officer, simplified information about cancer risk and gave some tools you can use to lower yours.
“Only about 30% of cancer is genetic while 70% is caused by lifestyle,” says Whyte. “What you eat, how active you are, the quality of your sleep, the amount of stress in your life, and your relationships – they all play a role.”
Poll Questions
Webinar viewers were asked about their thoughts on different issues related to cancer.
Out of this group, 37% were most interested in how diet impacts cancer.
More than half of attendees rarely thought about poor dental health as a risk factor for cancer.
What Affects Your Cancer Risk?
There are many things that can impact your cancer risk. While some of them you can’t control – like you age or your genetics – you can address most of the risk factors:
Tobacco. You can choose to quit smoking.
Obesity and physical inactivity. There are ways to reach a healthy body mass index (BMI) and get more active.
Diet and alcohol. You can make better food and drink choices.
Diabetes, gout, and infections. You can visit your doctor to manage any health issues you have.
UV radiation. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats to avoid sun damage.
Environmental pollution and occupational exposure. We know a lot more about how our surroundings affect our cancer risks. For example, asbestos is tied to mesothelioma.
Poor dental health. Brush your teeth and pay attention to your oral hygiene.
Medications. Do your research and speak with your doctor about the risks involved in the drugs you take.
“It's the cumulative effect of the decisions that you're making now, over 10, 20, 30, or 40 years, that are going to play a role in your risk for cancer,” says Whyte.
What Has Caused the Decline in Cancer Rates?
While some specific cancers (prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer) are still on the rise, cancer rates overall are going down for both men and women in the United States.
“This is primarily because of screening tests. We've seen a lot of improvements, particularly in skin cancer screening,” says Whyte. “We also have cancer vaccines, in terms of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human papillomavirus (HPV).”
People quitting smoking is also another driver in decreasing lung cancer rates, since 80% of lung cancers are caused by smoking. “Yet many people in the United States still smoke, and we're seeing some increases in younger populations,” says Whyte. “That's a big concern that I have: What are we going to see with cancer 10 or 20 years from now?”
Whyte also explained that new cancer treatments like immunomodulators and chemotherapeutic options in the last 5 years have played a factor in the decline of cancer rates.
Viewer Questions
If I have a gene for cancer, is aggressive surgery the only solution?
Are there more natural treatments for cancer than surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation?
My mother and grandmother both died from the same type of cancer at the same age. I'm nearing that age. What can I do about the anxiety that I'll get this cancer too?
Aggressive surgery isn’t the only option if you have a gene for cancer. It depends on what type of cancer it is. For example, with certain genetic risks for breast cancer, we know of some celebrities who have chosen what's called prophylactic mastectomy, which is when you have your breast removed to decrease the risk.
But there are also medications for breast cancer and other types that also can reduce cancer risk.
You’ll want to talk to your doctor or a genetic counselor. You're not at an average risk like those without the gene, so your best choice may be oral medications or more aggressive screening.
I look at treatment as a plan that uses many options. We may use radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy with other things like nutrition, yoga, or meditation. It’s not one or the other but a more unified plan to find what works best for you.
With a risk of cancer in your family, definitely talk to a genetic counselor. There are more advanced blood tests that they can do.
Then you want to talk about medication options to lower your risk and what screening guidelines you need.
It’s helpful to focus on things you can control. You can inform yourself about your risk and your options. These will all allow you to empower yourself.
It's natural to be stressed and anxious over this. You might want to talk to a mental health professional to help, too.
If you're vegetarian or vegan, is there something else to eat that is equally good to eating fish?
Does dairy increase the risk of cancers like prostate cancer?
The great thing about fish is it has all these mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Those are good in terms of antioxidants. But there are fish oils you can take if you can't eat fish.
It’s important to have blood tests often to make sure that you don't get anemia or other deficiencies.
There’s been conflicting information over the years about the impact of dairy. Most of it has shown that low-fat dairy does not increase the risk for cancer, including prostate cancer. But there have been some conflicting studies. It’s important to have dairy in moderation.
That could mean you're having milk in cereal or some cheese, but you're not eating this every day.
You mentioned sleep as a way to reduce cancer risk. What if you've tried everything and just don't sleep well?
What do you think is the biggest myth about cancer?
Some doctors may be too quick to prescribe sleep medication. But this may not work for some people. One option to help get better sleep is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
For insomnia there's usually another root cause, like stress or anxiety. You can talk to your doctor about treating that.
A myth about cancer is that it's mostly genetic. People think because they don’t have cancer in their family, they don’t need to think about it. Then they don't get screened.
But genetics is not the major risk factor for cancer. It's only one of them. Instead of saying, “I hope I don't get it,” recognize that cancer is a lot of different diseases, and you do have the power to reduce that risk.
Watch a replay of the WebMD webinar “Taking Control of Your Cancer Risk."
Watch other free WebMD webinars by leading experts on a variety of health issues.
