Can cancer of unknown primary be prevented?

Because cancer of unknown primary (CUP) includes a number of different cancers, there is no known way to prevent CUP. Still, certain lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of many types of cancer. This might in turn reduce a person’s risk of CUP.

Smoking is one of the most important risk factors that a person can change. Quitting or never starting to smoke reduces the risk of many types of cancers, which includes CUP. Please call us if you need help quitting tobacco. You can also learn more in Questions About Smoking, Tobacco, and Health, our Guide to Quitting Smoking, and our Guide to Quitting Smokeless Tobacco. All of these, and a lot more information about tobacco, can be read online or mailed to you.

Factors linked to body weight, exercise, and diet are thought to cause about 1 out of 3 cancer deaths. Staying at a healthy weight throughout life, being active, eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and not drinking too much alcohol can all help reduce the risk of cancer.