Skip to main content

Cancer Prevention

You can lower your risk of getting many common kinds of cancer by making healthy choices. It is also important to follow recommended screening guidelines, which can help detect certain cancers early.

Healthy Choices 

  • Get to and stay at a healthy weight
  • Be physically active as part of everyday life
  • Eat healthy, making whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans a major part of your diet
  • Limit consumption of fast food and other processed foods that are high in fat, starches or sugars
  • Limit alcohol consumption. The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk for cancer.
  • Stay away from tobacco
  • Protect your skin by staying in the shade, applying sunscreen, and wearing sun-protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses.
  • Learn your family health history and your risk for genetic cancers

Routine Cancer Screenings

Several cancer screening tests are considered effective and recommended by expert groups:

Routine Cancer Screenings

Breast Cancer Screening
Cervical Cancer Screening
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Lung Cancer Screening
Prostate Cancer Screening
Skin Cancer Screening

Expand all

Collapse all

Questions to ask your doctor about cancer screenings

Knowing if you should have a cancer screening test, when and how often you should have it, and at what age to stop having it can be confusing. Talking over the following questions with your doctor can help you understand the best cancer screening plan for you. 

  • Are any cancer screening tests recommended for me? Which ones?
  • How often should I have the test? At what age should I stop having it?
  • What is the purpose of the test?
  • Does the test require preparation and how do I do that?
  • What happens during the test? 
  • Are there risks to having the test?
  • How long does it take to get test results?
  • How will you tell me about the test results? For example, email, online health portal, phone?
  • If I do not get my test results, who should I contact? Is there a phone number can I call?
  • What happens if the results are not normal?

This program is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Cancer Foundation of Santa BarbaraRidley-Tree Cancer Center’s fundraising partner.

By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. For more, see our Privacy Policy.