According to the International Union against Cancer, a third of cancers are preventable, a third can be cured if diagnosed early, and a third can reduce pain and prolong life. Accordingly, the concept of tertiary prevention of malignant tumors is proposed:

Primary prevention is the elimination or reduction of possible carcinogens to prevent the occurrence of cancer. About 80% of cancers are related to environment and lifestyle. Improving living habits, such as smoking cessation, restricting alcohol consumption, food diversification, eating less preserved foods, weight control, appropriate exercise, environmental protection, identification of carcinogenic and cancer-promoting agents in the environment, strengthening occupational protection and so on, are all relatively important anti-cancer measures. In recent years, both immunoprophylaxis and chemoprophylaxis belong to primary prevention, such as mass vaccination of hepatitis B vaccine and chemoprophylaxis of colorectal adenoma by selective cyclocycox-2 inhibitor.

Secondary prevention refers to how cancer is detected and treated at an early stage once it occurs.

Include:

(1) To the cancer danger signal (such as persistent dyspepsia, postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, urine and feces habits change, long incurable ulcer, etc.) awareness and attention;

(2) To the high incidence area and high-risk population regular inspection;

(3) Detect precancerous lesions and treat them in time;

(4) Strengthen the monitoring of vulnerable groups;

Tumor self-examination (regular self-examination of the exposed parts of the body).

Tertiary prevention is the rehabilitation after treatment to prevent the deterioration of the disease, improve the quality of life, reduce pain, prolong life.