In modern times, cancer is a "pandemic" with 10 million deaths a year, being the second leading cause of death worldwide after cardiovascular disease. According to the World Health Organization and the American Institute of Cancer Research, 30% to 50% of the most common cancers could be prevented by simple lifestyle changes. These changes are summarized in the following list.

1. Maintain a healthy weight at any age.
2. Exercise.
3. Adopt a healthy diet (ideally the Mediterranean).
4. Limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink per day women or 2 men.
5. Do not resort to dietary supplements.
6. Avoid smoking in any of its versions, as well as places where others smoke (passive smoking).
7. Mothers, if you can, breastfeed your children.
8. Protect yourself from excessive sun exposure.
9. Get vaccinated against hepatitis B and HPV.

Adherence to the above measures has the same positive effect on people who have survived cancer and contributes significantly to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, ie the prevention of non-communicable diseases which together with cancer is the cause of over 70% of deaths worldwide.