PRIMARY PREVENTION REPRESENTS A FUNDAMENTAL PILLAR IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER, IT AIMS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF THE DISEASE.
Significant steps can be taken to prevent cancer and preserve people’s health by promoting the adoption of healthy behaviors, reducing exposure to harmful substances and ensuring protection through vaccination. Primary prevention strategies, which aims to prevent cancer before it occurs, promote and support:
Legislation and control measures aimed at prohibiting or limiting the use of dangerous products (such as asbestos, tobacco, alcohol) or promoting healthy and well-tolerated practices. These legislative measures are essential to reduce exposure to harmful substances and to ensure a safer and healthier environment for all.
Immunization against infectious diseases: The use of vaccines can prevent some forms of cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is effective in preventing cervical and oropharyngeal cancer, while the hepatitis B vaccine prevents the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with HBV infection.
Educational programmes, starting from secondary schools, which provide information on the promotion of healthy and safe habits, such as correct nutrition, regular physical exercise and a ban on smoking. Education is essential to raise public awareness of risk factors and to promote a healthy lifestyle that reduces the chances of developing cancer.
SECONDARY PREVENTION
Secondary prevention can identify cancer at a very early stage (through screening).
TERTIARY PREVENTION
Tertiary prevention aims to reduce the risk of developing a second cancer for those who have already been diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm.
