Cancer Prevention During Midlife

During this time of unique life transitions and health challenges, adults can make positive changes to reduce their cancer risk and support health during midlife and beyond.

CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control sponsored a supplemental issueexternal icon of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine about ways to reduce cancer risk during midlife. The authors are experts from many different professions, showing the importance of working together to find effective ways to prevent cancer.

Midlife, the time roughly between 45 and 64 years of age, is when the effects of harmful exposures and health behaviors often start to appear. At this age, adults may experience the onset of chronic diseases or other health problems. During this time of unique life transitions and health challenges, adults can make positive changes to reduce their cancer risk and support health during midlife and beyond.

Examples include—

Promoting behaviors that are generally healthy may lower individual cancer risk.

• Getting enough physical activity.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Getting enough sleep.
• Seeking appropriate medical care—
  • Managing chronic diseases such as diabetes.
  • Testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
  • Getting help to quit smoking.external icon
  • Screening for and managing obesity.external icon
  • Screening for certain types of cancer.

Reducing harmful exposures.

• Avoiding excessive UV exposure.
• Limiting alcohol use.
• Quitting smokingexternal icon and other tobacco use.
• Avoiding exposure to certain chemicals.
• Limiting radiation dose during medical imaging procedures.

Articles in Supplement

Background: Midlife as a Critical Period for Prevention

• Ory MG, Anderson LA, Friedman DB, Pulczinski JC, Eugene N, Satariano WA. Cancer prevention among adults aged 45–64: Setting the stage.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S1–S6.
• White MC, Holman DM, Boehm JE, Peipins LA, Grossman M, Henley SJ. Age and cancer risk: a potentially modifiable relationship.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S7–S15.

Cancer Risk and Protective Factors During Midlife

• Scoccianti C, Lauby-Secretan B, Bello PY, Chajes V, Romieu I. Female breast cancer and alcohol consumption: A review of the literature.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S16–S25.
• Gapstur SM, Diver WR, Stevens VL, Carter BD, Teras LR, Jacobs EJ. Work schedule, sleep duration, insomnia, and risk of fatal prostate cancer.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S26–S33.
• Carter BD, Diver WR, Hildebrand JS, Patel AV, Gapstur SM. Circadian disruption and fatal ovarian cancer.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S34–S41.
• Nelson CC, Wagner GR, Caban-Martinez AJ, Buxton OM, Kenwood CT, Sabbath EL, Hashimoto DM, Hopcia K, Allen J, Sorensen G. Physical activity and body mass index: the contribution of age and workplace characteristics.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S42–S51.
• Amadou A, Mejia GT, Fagherazzi G, Ortega C, Angeles-Llerenas A, Chajes V, Biessy C, Sighoko D, Hainaut P, Romieu I. Anthropometry, silhouette trajectory, and risk of breast cancer in Mexican women.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S52–S64.
• Keum N, Giovannucci EL. Folic acid fortification and colorectal cancer risk.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S65–S72.

Taking Public Health Action to Prevent Cancer

• Holman DM, Grossman M, Henley SJ, Peipins LA, Tison L, White MC. Opportunities for cancer prevention during midlife: highlights from a meeting of experts.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S73–S80.
• Dacus HLM, O’Sullivan GM, Major A, White DE. The role of a state health agency in promoting cancer prevention at the community level: Examples from New York State.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S81–S86.
• Zonderman AB, Ejiogu N, Norbeck J, Evans MK. The influence of health disparities on targeting cancer prevention efforts.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S87–S97.
• Muirhead L. Cancer risk factors among persons with serious mental illness.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S98–S103.

Conclusion

• Gehlert S. Forging an integrated agenda for primary cancer prevention during midlife.external icon American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2014;46(3S1):S104–S109.