For now, the only sure way to prevent the growth and spread of a cancer is to find the cancer early and remove it or destroy it. The American Cancer Society recommends early detection tests for cancers of the breast, colon, and cervix. But many people do not know about or do not follow these recommendations. These people are more likely to have cancer found after it has already spread. Because these tests are not perfect, some cancers may spread before they can be found. There are also many cancers that cannot be found early by any of the tests that are used at this time.

Researchers are looking for ways to keep cancer from spreading. For example, drugs are being studied that might block the enzymes that help cancer cells break holes through the walls of blood vessels. Other drugs block the formation of new blood vessels. Some patients, such as those with breast or colorectal cancer, are given drugs after surgery to kill cancer cells that might have broken away from the primary tumor.

Last Medical Review: 01/28/2009
Last Revised: 01/28/2009