The Power of Prevention: Reduce Your Risk for Common Cancers

The National Cancer Institute estimated that in 2025, roughly 2 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Based on this research, breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers account for almost 50% of all new cancer cases in the US.

With cancer affecting so many people each year, adopting preventive measures has become more important than ever. By focusing on lifestyle modifications and early detection, you and your loved ones can significantly reduce your chances of developing cancer and live long, healthy lives.

Learn about prevention, screenings, and lifestyle tips that can help protect you and your loved ones against these common cancers.

Skin Cancer

Did you know: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. It often appears on areas of the body exposed to the sun, such as the head, face, neck, back, chest, or shoulders.

Prevention and Screenings:

Examining your skin for signs of skin cancer

Perform regular self-examinations, paying attention to changes in moles, skin growths, color, shape, size, and healing patterns after injury.
Schedule an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist if you notice the following melanoma warning signs:
- Changes to moles or skin lesions
- Suspicious skin growths
Schedule regular skin examinations with your doctor to enhance the early detection and treatment of skin cancer, including melanoma.

Lifestyle Tips:

How can you care for yourself to prevent skin cancer?

Safeguard against UV rays:
- Limit sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm when UV rays are strongest.
- Wear protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats, long sleeves, and pants outdoors.
- Choose sunglasses that block UV rays.
Ensure comprehensive sun protection:
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days.
  - Reapply sunscreen if you are in the sun for more than a few hours.
- Use lip balm or cream with SPF to shield your lips from sunburn.
Avoid artificial tanning:
- Steer clear of tanning booths or sunlamps to minimize skin damage and cancer risk.

For more skin protection tips, read this blog.

Colon Cancer

Did you know: The American Cancer Society estimates that over 152,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2026. However, the number of people diagnosed has steadily declined since the mid-1980s due to increased screening and changing lifestyles.

Prevention and Screenings:

Your risk for colorectal cancer gets higher as you get older. Experts recommend people at average risk with no family predispositions start screening at age 45. People with a higher risk, such as those with a strong family history of colon cancer, should be tested earlier. Talk with your doctor about your risk and when to start and stop screening.

Screening tests that may find colon cancer early include:

Stool tests like the fecal immunochemical test or the guaiac fecal occult blood test.
Sigmoidoscopy, which checks the lower part of your colon
Colonoscopy, which checks the entire colon

Important note: Early-stage colon cancer usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. Symptoms occur later, when the cancer may be harder to treat. If you experience symptoms like blood in your stool, belly or rectal pain, or a change in your bowel habits, contact your doctor immediately.

Lifestyle Tips:

Here are things you can do to help prevent colon cancer:

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy weight by consuming a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, poultry, and fish while limiting intake of red meat, refined grains, sweets, and moderate alcohol consumption to reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Stay Active: Engage in regular physical activity to promote overall health and lower the likelihood of colon cancer
Avoid Tobacco: Quit smoking to significantly decrease your chance of developing colon cancer and improve overall health.

Lung Cancer

Did you know: According to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, about 20% of lung cancer diagnoses occur in people who have never smoked, which is why awareness and screening recommendations are important for many adults.

Prevention and Screenings:

According to the American Cancer Society, people who currently smoke or formerly smoked are at higher risk for lung cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) for some of these people.

How is lung cancer screening done?
- Lung cancer screening is done with a low-dose CT (computed tomography) scan, a type of imaging test that uses X-rays to take detailed pictures of the lungs. Screening is typically done in medical centers experienced in finding and treating lung cancer.
Some symptoms of lung cancer include:
- Persistent cough, possibly with blood or bloody mucus.
- Chest, shoulder, or back pain that worsens with deep breathing.
- New onset wheezing, shortness of breath, or hoarseness.
- General symptoms like swelling in the neck and face, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, and recurring respiratory infections.
In some cases, lung cancer can spread to other parts of the body, which may cause additional symptoms. For example, if it spreads to the spine or bones, it may cause pain in the back or other bones or cause weakness in the arms or legs. If it spreads to the brain, it may cause seizures, headaches, or vision changes.

Lifestyle Tips:

How can you help lower your risk for lung cancer?
- Most lung cancers are caused by smoking. If you use tobacco, you can help lower your risk of lung cancer by quitting.
- Avoid working in jobs exposed to asbestos, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, or secondhand smoke.
- Check the radon level in your home. If the level is high, lowering it can reduce your risk.
- Don’t have chest X-rays you don’t need.
Other risk factors include exposure to:
- Radiation
- Air pollution
- Diesel exhaust

Breast Cancer

Did you know: According to the American Cancer Society, the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13% and the median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62.

Prevention and Screenings:

Breast cancer is sometimes found after symptoms appear, but many women with breast cancer have no symptoms – which is why regular breast cancer screening is so important. Here are the steps you should take to help reduce your risk:

Get familiar with the look and feel of your breasts: At the very least, you should do a self-exam monthly to feel for any lumps or soreness and look for any changes in appearance. If you notice a change or have any concerns, schedule an exam with your doctor.
Regular breast exams by your doctor or nurse: This can be done during your annual physical.
Get regular mammograms: You should get your first mammogram between ages 40 and 50, with repeated screenings every one to two years until age 75. However, depending on your family history and risk, your doctor may suggest getting exams more often. Consult your doctor on when you should start getting mammograms and how frequently.

To learn more about breast cancer prevention, read this blog.

Lifestyle Tips:

While there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends these lifestyle habits that might reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

Avoid or limit alcohol: Drinking even small amounts of alcohol is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer in women. Alcohol can raise estrogen levels in the body, which may explain some of the increased risk. Avoiding or cutting back on alcohol may be an important way for many women to lower their risk of breast cancer.
Be physically active: Evidence is growing that regular physical activity reduces breast cancer risk, especially in women past menopause. Many studies have shown that moderate to vigorous physical activity is linked with lower breast cancer risk, so it’s important to get regular physical activity.

Prostate Cancer

Did you know: According to the American Cancer Society, about six in 10 prostate cancers are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older, and it is rare in men under 40. The average age of men when they are first diagnosed is about 67.

Prevention and Screenings:

Prostate cancer can often be found early by testing for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in a man’s blood. Another way to find prostate cancer is the digital rectal exam (DRE). For a DRE, the doctor puts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland.

You and your doctor should decide whether and when you should be screened for prostate cancer. There are many factors to consider, including your age, health, and family history. For example, you might feel it’s more important to be screened if prostate cancer runs in your family.

Lifestyle Tips:

While there is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, the Amer i can Cancer Society recommends these lifestyle habits that might reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Get to and stay at a healthy weight: Some studies have found that men with excess body weight have a higher risk of developing advanced prostate cancer or prostate cancer that is more likely to be fatal.
Follow a healthy eating pattern: Your diet should include a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and avoid or limit red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and highly processed foods.

Don’t delay. Schedule your routine screenings and take proactive steps towards preventing cancer, as prevention truly is the best medicine. Download this infographic to see what other screenings you may need based on your age, and for appointment tips to get the most out of your visit. For more lifestyle tips that help with cancer prevention, read this blog.

Have you received a diagnosis or treatment plan and want to get a second opinion? As part of our CalVEBA medical plans, members can get a free expert second opinion through our partnership with Teladoc Medical Experts. This is a no-cost service that provides you with access to world-renowned doctors and specialists so you can have confidence before making major medical decisions.

Learn more at Teladoc.com/Medical-Experts or call 800-835-2362

Making Lifestyle Changes to Help Prevent Cancer

According to the World Health Organization, between 30–50% of all cancer cases are preventable. Certain unhealthy daily behaviors can increase our risk of developing cancer. Major lifestyle changes may not happen overnight, but working toward healthier habits can significantly reduce the likelihood of cancer. Practices like making time each day for physical activity, choosing healthier food options, and prioritizing regular checkups and screenings can all contribute to cancer prevention.

Here are some steps you can take that may help prevent cancer and pave the way for a long and healthy life:

Quit smoking.

When you quit smoking, you lower your risk of many types of cancer. These include cancers of the lung, bladder, kidneys, pancreas, cervix, mouth, esophagus, and throat.

Make healthy food choices.
Your diet should include:

Plenty of vegetables, fruits, beans, other legumes, fish, poultry, and whole grains.
Less red meat (such as beef, lamb, and pork).
Less processed meat (like bacon, hot dogs, sausage, and some deli meats).
Less food made from refined grains.
Less sweets and added sugars.

Find inspiration from our recipe library!

Maintain a healthy weight.
Being very overweight increases the risk of some forms of cancer. People whose extra body fat sits in the waist area may be at higher risk than people whose extra fat is in their hips or thighs.

Stay active.
Being active every day may prevent several cancers. And regular activity can help you get to and stay at a healthy weight. Being active and getting enough sleep may work together to lower cancer risk even more than activity alone, especially for women.

You can join free movement classes, in-person or virtually, on our class calendar! Or visit our video library for on-demand classes to take whenever and wherever you wish!

Protect your skin.
Most skin cancer is caused by too much sun. To protect yourself from damaging UV rays:

Seek shade from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cover up outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and tightly woven clothing.
Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen on any exposed skin, even when it’s cloudy. Use SPF 30 or higher. Reapply if you’re in the sun for more than a few hours.
Wear UV-blocking sunglasses.
Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps.

Be wise with alcohol.
Drinking alcohol may increase your risk of some types of cancer. Any amount of alcohol may increase that risk. If you drink alcohol, try to limit the amount you drink.

Practice safer sex.
Safer sex includes using condoms and talking to every potential sex partner about their sexual history. Practicing safer sex helps prevent HPV, a sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer.

Get regular checkups and screenings.
Your doctor can schedule regular screenings for various types of cancer, such as mammograms for breast cancer and stool tests for colon cancer. Most screenings and checkups are to find cancer early, when it’s easier to treat and may even be curable.

Read this blog and download a free infographic for screening recommendations based on age.

Consider vaccinations.
Females ages nine to 26 can get the HPV vaccine to protect against the virus that can cause cervical cancer. Males ages nine through 26 may also get the HPV vaccine, which may prevent anal cancer and oral cancer. If you are age 27 to 45 and have not been vaccinated for HPV, ask your doctor if getting the vaccine is right for you.

Avoid toxins at work and at home.
Stay away from harmful chemicals and other things that can increase your chances of getting cancer. These things include asbestos, benzene, radon, and polluted drinking water. Take care when you use cleaning products, paints, solvents, and pesticides.

Making healthier life choices and sticking to them can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. At the VEBA Resource Center, our Care Navigators are here to support and guide you toward becoming your best self. Together, you’ll create a tailored health plan for you based on your unique story, values, and experiences.

Start Your Personalized Wellness Journey

What Can You Do to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer?

Your risk for breast cancer increases as you get older. There is no known way to prevent breast cancer, but with some cancers, finding them early can increase your chances of successful treatment.

Here are some steps you can take to help reduce your risk:

Get familiar with the look and feel of your breasts. This will help you notice any changes. Call your doctor if you notice a change.
Have regular breast exams by your doctor or nurse. Ask your doctor how often you should get them.
Have regular mammograms. A mammogram is a picture of your breast tissue. It can find changes in your breast before you can feel them. Talk to your doctor about when to get this test.

You can also help take care of yourself and reduce your risk of cancer if you:

Stay at a healthy weight.
Eat a healthy, low-fat diet.
Get some exercise every day. If you don’t usually exercise, walking is a good way to start.
Don’t smoke. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
If you drink alcohol, limit how much you drink. Any amount of alcohol may increase your risk for some types of cancer.
Breastfeed. There is some evidence that breastfeeding may lower the risk of breast cancer. The benefit seems to be greatest in those who have breastfed for longer than 12 months or who breastfed several children.

BRCA gene changes

People who do a gene test and find out that they have a BRCA gene change have some options to manage their cancer risk.

For female breast cancer: If you haven’t yet had cancer, you may want to think about starting breast cancer screening at a younger age, taking medicine, and having preventive surgery.
For male breast cancer: You may want to think about doing breast self-exams and having clinical breast exams. (And it’s a good idea to have prostate cancer screenings too.)

If you have a BRCA gene change, talk with your doctor about how you can manage your cancer risk.