Debunking Cancer Prevention: The Essential Role of Risk Reduction – Sami Mansfield

“Every February, we emphasize National Cancer Prevention Month – a time devoted to raising awareness about cancer prevention strategies. But are we concentrating on the wrong outcome? Is ‘prevention’ a misleading term?

When we talk about prevention, it can seem like we can completely avoid cancer if we simply do the right things.

However, the reality is that we can’t entirely prevent cancer; we can only lower our risk. Too often cancer screenings are elevated as prevention when in fact they are simply risk-reduction tools. While screenings are essential for early detection, they offer no strategies to make change and in many cases are missing the highest need for new diagnoses.

As an example, populations at the highest risk for certain cancers—such as younger adults under 50—are often excluded from routine screenings.

Colorectal cancer rates among adults under 50 have surged globally, with the sharpest increases in recent years noted in New Zealand (4%), Chile (4%), and the United Kingdom (3.6%), according to The Lancet Oncology. (Sung, 2025)

While the U.S. has lowered its screening age to 45, while many countries still set it at 50—meaning that early detection might come too late.

Colorectal cancer screening rates also show significant disparities across age, race, geography, income, and insurance status. While 59% of adults over 45 are current with screenings, younger adults remain largely underserved—only 20% of those aged 45-49 get screened compared to 70% of those aged 55-64. Hispanic (52%) and Asian (50%) populations exhibit lower screening rates than White (61%) and Black (61%) populations. (Maira Castañeda-Avila, 2024)

Lower-income individuals encounter the greatest barriers – those above 200% of the federal poverty level have a 62% screening rate, while those below 100% sit at only 47%. Insurance coverage is a significant determinant, with just 21% of uninsured individuals undergoing screening compared to 63% of those who are privately insured (Maira Castañeda-Avila, 2024).

These disparities highlight that although screening is crucial for early detection, systemic barriers like cost, time, and access to healthcare hinder equitable outcomes uptake to change these outcomes.

So, what if we stopped viewing screening as our only defence and instead focused more on habit-based, cost-effective lifestyle strategies that genuinely lower cancer risk?

While cancer is a complex disease influenced by genetics, environment, and lifestyle, research shows that over 40% of cancer cases and nearly half of cancer-related deaths are associated with preventable factors. (see the first blog)

Given these gaps, lifestyle-based risk reduction presents a practical, lower-barrier strategy.

Unlike screenings, which require insurance coverage, medical appointments, and systemic access, habit changes—such as diet, physical activity, and minimizing harmful exposures—are available to everyone.

By prioritizing lifestyle strategies, we can empower more individuals to take control of their cancer risk, regardless of financial or systemic limitations and barriers to support increased risk reduction.

Lifestyle Strategies for Cancer Risk Reduction – An Accessible Opportunity.

Avoiding tobacco is one of the most effective ways to reduce cancer risk, as smoking remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Steering clear of cigarettes, vaping, and secondhand smoke significantly lowers this risk. Similarly, reconsidering alcohol consumption is important, as alcohol is a known carcinogen linked to breast, liver, and esophagal cancers. Even cutting back by one drink per week can diminish risk. (Yoo, 2024)

Regular movement and strength training also play a crucial role in cancer prevention. Just 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise—whether it’s walking, yoga, or dancing—provides long-term benefits, especially for reducing the risk of breast and colon cancer reduction. (Hardefeldt, 2018)

Strength training is equally essential because skeletal muscle acts as an endocrine organ, improving the regulation of blood sugar and reduction of inflammation, both associated with a lower risk of cancer. (Thyfault, 2020)

Engaging in resistance training 2-3 times a week increases muscle mass and promotes overall metabolic health.

Nutrition plays a vital role, as whole, fiber-rich foods help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Diets that are high in processed meats and ultra-processed foods have been associated with higher rates of colorectal cancer. (Wang, 2022)

Protecting the skin from UV exposure is another crucial strategy, as skin cancer is among the most preventable types of cancer. Daily sunscreen application and avoiding tanning beds can significantly reduce the risk.

Vaccination is a powerful tool, as HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines lower the risks of cervical, throat, and liver cancers. Furthermore, early detection through screenings is essential—understanding personal and family history can empower individuals to advocate for early and appropriate testing.

Instead of promoting the false hope of ‘cancer prevention,’ let’s empower people with real, practical, and affordable methods to reduce their risk. The good news? It’s never too late to start. Every small change adds up over time.

This Cancer Prevention Month, let’s concentrate on what we can control—our daily choices. The best way to fight cancer is to prevent it from starting.”

written by Sami Mansfield

Sami Mansfield is an exercise oncology and lifestyle medicine consultant with endless curiosity and persistence. She started her career in 2003 and immediately knew it was where she wanted to live her professional life. As the founder of Cancer Wellness for Life, Sami has dedicated her career to empowering cancer survivors and clinicians through innovative, evidence-based programs that improve health outcomes while optimizing cost-efficiency. With diverse experience in clinical practice, research and consulting, she has pioneered sustainable wellness strategies that integrate AI, enhance accessibility, and bridge equity gaps.

Sami’s expertise extends across healthcare organizations, cancer centers, and policy- making initiatives. She is a contributing author to groundbreaking guidelines, including the ASCO Guidelines on Exercise, Nutrition, and Weight Management, and has helped shape numerous state cancer control plans. She is the current chair of the Cancer Member Interest Group for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, where she drives forward initiatives emphasizing the connection between science and implementation. Her patient-facing programs like BUILD and My Lifestyle Shift have reached global audiences, transforming lives through the pillars of lifestyle medicine.