Abstract

Preventive oncology focuses on the identification, understanding, and mitigation of cancer risks before malignancy develops. It emphasizes lifestyle modifications, early detection, and biological interventions to reduce cancer incidence and improve survival outcomes. The growing burden of cancer globally has sparked renewed interest in cancer prevention as a critical strategy for public health. Preventive measures include primary prevention through environmental and behavioral risk modification, secondary prevention through screening and early detection, and tertiary prevention through surveillance for high-risk populations. Among these, primary prevention strategies like tobacco cessation, reducing alcohol consumption, promoting healthy diets, and increasing physical activity have shown significant promise in decreasing cancer risk. Additionally, understanding genetic predispositions and the role of the microbiome in cancer prevention provides new avenues for targeted interventions. Advances in molecular biology and genomics have made it possible to identify individuals at higher risk of certain cancers, thereby facilitating personalized prevention strategies. Furthermore, vaccination against oncogenic viruses such as HPV and Hepatitis B has proven effective in preventing cancers associated with these infections. Despite challenges such as health disparities, access to care, and the complexity of cancer biology, preventive oncology represents a transformative field with the potential to significantly reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer worldwide. This paper explores the multifaceted approaches of preventive oncology, emphasizing the importance of research, public health initiatives, and individual lifestyle modifications to combat the global cancer epidemic.