How to Prevent Cancer or Find It Early
Cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Cancer is not just one disease, but many diseases. There are more than 100 kinds of cancer. For more information, visit the National Cancer Institute’s What Is Cancer?external icon
![A doctor providing results to her patient.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120114233im_/https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/images/woman-doctor-250x166.jpg)
Getting screening tests regularly may find breast, cervical, and colorectal (colon) cancers early, when treatment is likely to work best. Lung cancer screening is recommended for some people who are at high risk.
![A mother and child with a health care professional, who is giving the child a vaccine.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120114233im_/https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/images/woman-child-hcp-vaccine-250x166.jpg)
Vaccines (shots) also help lower cancer risk. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and several other kinds of cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine can help lower liver cancer risk.
![A family getting groceries.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120114233im_/https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/images/family-groceries-250x166.jpg)
You can reduce your risk of getting cancer by making healthy choices like keeping a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, and protecting your skin.
CDC scientists and other experts explored ways to lower cancer risk at different ages: early childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, midlife, and older adulthood.
Page last reviewed: July 29, 2020