AHS study says 6,700 cases of cancer could be prevented

Reducing tobacco use, getting screened regularly and exercising. These are some of the recommendations from Alberta Health Services after a very comprehensive study looking at preventing cancer in the province.

The study predicts 6,700 cases of the disease could be avoided. The website albertapreventscancer.ca lays out the information clearly and by type. Lead researcher Dr. Christine Friedenreich says it provides clear cut data to move forward with prevention.

“This Alberta project was a catalyst for all of us to develop a larger and national project that we’re now conducting with a team of investigators from across Canada, and in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society,” she explains.

Breast cancer can be reduced by 50 per cent, kidney cancer is 34 per cent. Stomach cancer – could be reduced by 56 per cent with a special focus on lifestyle.

Dr. Friedenreich says researchers looked at environmental factors as well.

“Things like air pollution, radon, UV exposure. We didn’t really find very large differences across the provinces,” she says.

The research also says for those already battling the disease quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and being more physically active can improve treatment and reduce risk of cancer coming back.

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