Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 3, 2020

While not all cancers can be prevented, taking an active role in your health and participating in early detection programs can improve your chance of surviving a cancer. Early detection programs are available for many cancers, including lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and cervical cancer. Check with your primary care provider to see if you are a candidate for one of these common cancer screenings. Jeff Allen, M.D., Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services Ask the Expert Schedule an appointment today! Dr. Allen is a medical oncologist at Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint. Visit KH.org/cancer or call (208) 625-4700 . Q How can I reduce my overall risk of cancer? The lifetime risk of developing an invasive cancer is nearly 40 percent for both men and women. While survival rates are steadily improving across the most common forms of cancer, much work needs to be done. You can take an active role in reducing your chance of developing a cancer by taking some simple steps: Maintaining a healthy body weight through diet and exercise lowers the risk of cancer and has numerous other health benefits. To lower your risk of skin cancer, avoid exposure to the sun, especially during the peak hours of the day. If you are in the sun, wear a hat, put on sunglasses and use sunscreen. Avoiding cigarette smoking (or quitting if you are an active smoker) lowers your risk for smoking- related malignancies, including lung cancer and cancers of the urinary tract and other sites. Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption lowers your risk of developing multiple cancers. Cervical cancer and oropharyngeal cancers are associated with chronic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Vaccination against HPV can lower your risk of developing these malignancies. 22