Cancer Risk

Understanding Cancer Risk

Jump to:

• Reducing Cancer Risk
• Tobacco and Cancer Risk
• Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Reducing Cancer Risk
• Alcohol and Cancer Risk - Guidance for Health
• UV and Cancer Risk - Guidance on Sun Safety

Some things that can increase cancer risk are not things we can change. These are called non-modifiable risk factors. These include things like age and genetics.  

Other risk factors can be changed with the right conditions and supports. These are called modifiable risk factors because there is potential to change or modify them.  Many of the modifiable risk factors for cancer are risk factors for other chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Reducing cancer risk will also reduce risk for these other conditions. 

Modifiable risk factors are things we can try to change.

Reducing Cancer Risk

In Nova Scotia in 2015,  2,300 cases of cancer could have been prevented through action on modifiable risk factors. 

Learn more about cancer risk factors and how to reduce your risk for 10 of the most common cancers in Nova Scotia through these inforgraphics:

• Bladder Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Cervical  Cancer
• Colorectal  Cancer
• Head & Neck Cancer
• Liver  Cancer
• Lung  Cancer
• Melanoma Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Stomach Cancer 

Cancer Prevention includes a wide range of activities aimed at reducing the risks of developing cancer.   It also involves actions to lessen the threats to well-being and quality of life after a diagnosis of cancer.

Primary  cancer prevention is action taken to lower the risk of developing cancer.  The focus is often on reducing exposure to known risk factors like tobacco and alcohol, or on environmental risks such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun and radon.

You can view our "Understanding Cancer Risk" infographic here.

Secondary cancer prevention, often called cancer screening, aims to find pre-cancerous cell changes OR cancer itself before any symptoms appear. Screening programs are in place for cervical, colorectal, lung and breast cancer in Nova Scotia.

You can view our "Why screen for cancer" infographic here.

Tertiary (meaning after you already have cancer) prevention aims to reduce side effects and prevent disability in people being treated for cancer.  Quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis, can improve treatment outcomes by 30 to 40%.  Being physically active during and after cancer treatment can reduce fatigue and improve quality of life.

You can view our "Even After a Cancer Diagnosis" infographic here.

The Nova Scotia Community Socio-Economic Status Reports provide a window on the Socio-Economic Status (SES) profile of communities  across the province. In total there are 42 reports covering 301 Communities, 23 cancer types and 99,000 cancer cases diagnosed over the period of 2001-2017.  

The reports can be used to:

• Understand health disparity across communities
• Identify priority populations
• Understand local cancer prevention potential
• Inform advocacy for change

Tobacco and Cancer Risk

Tobacco use refers to commercial tobacco and not to the use of tobacco for traditional or spiritual purposes.

Tobacco use is the most important modifiable risk factor for cancer.  Many forms of cancer can be prevented by not smoking or using smokeless tobacco, and avoiding exposure to second-hand smoke.

Smoking tobacco accounts for 85% of all new cases of lung cancer in Canada.

Tobacco use increases the risk of developing cancers of the:

• Lung
• Mouth and throat 
• Esophagus and larynx 
• Cervix
• Bladder
• Stomach
• Kidney
• Breast
• Pancreas

Two pieces of legislation are in place to regulate tobacco in Nova Scotia.  Together these laws help to protect children and youth from starting to smoke, and protect the health of non-smokers.

The Tobacco Access Act makes it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 19 in Nova Scotia.  It includes regulations aimed at reducing the number of children and youth who start smoking;  and supporting people trying to quit by making tobacco less visible where these products are sold.    

The Smoke-free Places Act protects the public from exposure to second-hand smoke.  It requires all indoor workplaces and public places, some outdoor public spaces, outdoor licensed areas and patios of restaurants, lounges, beverage rooms and cabarets to be smoke-free.  This law applies to smoked tobacco, cannabis, e-cigarettes, and waterpipes.

Stopping Tobacco Use

The best way to reduce cancer risk is to not start using tobacco.  The second best way to reduce cancer risk is to stop using tobacco.  Tobacco contains nicotine which is very addictive and can make quitting difficult.  Habits that get established over time can also be difficult to change.  Emotional and environmental triggers also play a role.

Research has shown that a combination of behavioural counselling and cessation medications can help.  

Smoking cessation programs and supports are available in Nova Scotia including:

• Tobacco-Free Nova Scotia  - a free and confidential quit line makes counselling accessible across Nova Scotia - Call 811 and ask to speak with a tobacco cessation counsellor.
• Mental Health and Addictions Stop Smoking Program - is available in communities throughout Nova Scotia and can support behavioural counselling and access to cessation medication

Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Reducing Cancer Risk

The World Cancer Research Fund recommends these cancer prevention recommendations to reduce cancer risk related to healthy eating, physical activity, healthy weight and alcohol use:

• Be a healthy weight
• Be physically active as part of everyday life.  
• Make whole grains, vegetables, fruit and beans a major part of your usual diet
• Limit "fast foods"  
• Limit red and processed meat
• Cut down on sugary drinks
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Do not use supplements for cancer prevention
• Breastfeed your baby, if you can

HealthyNS offers FREE online health and wellness classes to people who live in Nova Scotia.  Virtual programs are available on a variety of topics including healthy eating, physical activity, reducing your health risks and mental wellness. 

Alcohol and Cancer Risk - Guidance for Health

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) has released updated Canadian guidance on alcohol and health.  

Alcohol is one of the leading preventable causes of death, disease and disability worldwide. Alcohol use is a contributing cause of more than 200 diseases and health conditions, including 7 types of cancer:

• Mouth and throat              
• Esophagus and larynx 
• Breast                                         
• Stomach
• Liver                                                          
• Pancreas
• Colon
• Lung

Did you know?

• Alcohol causes nearly 7,000 cancer deaths each year in Canada.
• Nova Scotia has a culture of alcohol use that sees people drinking more alcohol, and more heavily, than most Canadians.
• Drinking alcohol always has some risk.  
• How much and how often a person drinks alcohol can affect their health.  
• The health risks increase with each additional drink and with how often you drink.

The updated guidance on alcohol and health advises that if you choose to drink, it is better to drink less. Not drinking has many benefits, including better health and better sleep. Your risk of cancer increases when you consume 3 or more standard drinks in a week. Each additional drink increases your risk more.

The risk for alcohol-related harms is strongly influenced by our social, economic and physical environments, including:

• Availability and cost
• Social and cultural norms around drinking
• Coping with loss of cultural identity, racism, stigma and discrimination
• Economic resources 

UV and Cancer Risk - Guidance on Sun Safety

Skin cancer rates have been increasing steadily in Canada over the past 30 years and Nova Scotia has one of the highest rates of melanoma skin cancer in Canada. Overexposure to the sun is the main modifiable risk factor for skin cancer.

There are many things you can do to minimize your risks:

• Check the UV Index Daily
• Practice sun safety when working or playing outdoors
• Slip on a Shirt (that protects your arms)
• Slap on a Hat (that protects your ears, back of neck and face)
• Slop on Sunscreen (broad spectrum, SPF 30+ and follow instructions for use)
• Seek Shade (or bring it along with an umbrella or sun shelter)
• Wear sunglasses or protective eyewear (check for UVA/UVB protection)
• Limit time in the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the UV Index is 3 or higher

Nova Scotians who work in jobs that require them to be outside when the UV Index is moderate or higher may have special and specific considerations to reduce their risk.  Check out the Sun Safety at Work Canada website for more information.  

The World Health Organization and International Agency for Research on Cancer report that the use of  tanning equipment can increase the risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by 59% if the age of first exposure was before 35 years of age.

In 2009 the World Health Organization classified UV-emitting tanning devices as cancer causing devices.    

The Nova Scotia Tanning Beds Act bans the sale of UV-emitting tanning services to anyone under the age of 19 years and requires health warning signage where services are sold to those over 19 years of age.