Prevention

Cancer prevention is the first goal of the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy. It is important because it focuses not only on reducing factors that increase a persons chances of developing cancer (such as smoking), but also on protective factors (such as physical activity and a healthy diet).

Prevention focuses on reducing the numbers of people developing cancers from:

• Tobacco use
• Physical inactivity and obesity
• Poor nutrition
• Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR)/ sun exposure
• Infectious diseases, such as Hepatitis B
• Alcohol
• Occupational exposure to carcinogens

For more information on prevention see the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy