In the past, cancer was thought of as a disease that “just happened” – something that we couldn’t predict or control. While there are still mysteries to be solved in understanding why cancer happens to some people and not others, we do understand much more than we did. And there is good news – many cancers can be prevented.

We know we can reduce the number of people who develop cancer.
We can do this by:

• • attention to individual behaviours, such as avoiding tobacco, increasing physical activity, eating healthier, and being in the sun safely
  
• • finding ways to work together to make our work, home, and physical environments healthier.

The best way to prevent cancer is to combine personal and collective action. We need to focus on individual people and on society. This will help reduce the risk of cancer, as well as other diseases such as diabetes, and heart and lung diseases.

The Canadian strategy for cancer control has a strong focus on preventing cancer. In putting the strategy into action, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is working with many partners in the cancer community and beyond. Our partners include cancer agencies, health ministries, public health groups, patient and survivor groups, many health charities and many other groups working across Canada to prevent cancer and other diseases.