Skip to main content
  • Individuals
    • Individuals
    • Business
    • Adviser
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Claims
    • AIA Vitality Member Login
  • Search
  • AIA Australia
  • Health Insurance
    • Member Benefits
    • Member Login
    • Get a quote
    • Make a claim
  • Life Insurance
    • Life Cover
    • Total and Permanent Disablement
    • Crisis Recovery
    • Income Protection
    • Business Expenses
    • Make a claim
    • Medix
  • Retirement & Investment
    • Guaranteed Annuities
    • Investment Growth Bond
    • Unit Prices
  • AIA Vitality
    • Partners and Rewards
    • Already a member? Login
  • Content Hub
    • Move Well
    • Plan Well
    • Eat Well
    • Think Well
  • Help & Support
    • Making a Claim
    • Forms & Documents
    • Policyholder Information
    • Complaints process
    • Contact AIA
    • Customer feedback
    • COVID-19
    • Part 9
AIA
  • Individuals
  • Business
  • Adviser
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Claims
  • AIA Vitality Member Login
  • Health Insurance

    Health Insurance

    Cover that protects and rewards.

    • Member Benefits

      Learn more about the range of benefits available to AIA Health Insurance members.

    • Member Login

      Existing members login here to your online account.

    • Get a quote

      Ready to get started?

    • Make a claim

      Get help with making a claim.

  • Life Insurance

    Life Insurance

    We’re here to help protect your family, your lifestyle and your future.

    For Individuals

    For Business

    • Life Cover

      Helps protect your loved ones if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness or pass away.

    • Total and Permanent Disablement

      A lump sum benefit if you're no longer able to work due to an injury or illness.

    • Crisis Recovery

      Helps ease the financial burden should you suffer a traumatic event.

    • Income Protection

      Can provide you with a monthly income if you become disabled due to injury or illness.

    • Business Expenses

      May assist to pay expenses of your business if you cannot work due to injury or illness.

    • Make a claim

      Get help with making a claim.

    • Medix

      Personal Medical Case Management.

  • Retirement & Investment

    Retirement & Investment

    Plan for a more comfortable tomorrow.

    • Guaranteed Annuities

      Can provide you with a regular, guaranteed income stream throughout your retirement.

    • Investment Growth Bond

      Also known as an insurance bond, it offers a tax-effective way to invest for the future and is flexible enough to suit a wide range of needs.

    • Unit Prices

      Find unit prices for a range of products formally known as Commonwealth and Colonial Products.

  • AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality is a personalised, science-backed health and wellbeing program that supports you every day to make healthier lifestyle choices.

    • Partners and Rewards

      Learn more about our partners and rewards.

    • Already a member? Login

      Check your AIA Vitality Status and get access to the tools you need to help improve your health.

  • Content Hub

    Content Hub

    The AIA Vitality Content Hub is your go to for science-backed, health and wellbeing inspiration and advice.

    • Move Well

      Finding your further when it comes to exercise and fitness.

    • Plan Well

      Providing the tools and support for your future, because a good tomorrow starts today.

    • Eat Well

      Caring for your body with food that makes you feel good.

    • Think Well

      Tools and information to help cultivate a healthy frame of mind.

  • Help & Support

    Help & Support

    We strive to assist you for all your inquiries with high touch customer service.

    Contact AIA
    • Making a Claim

      Get help with making a claim.

    • Forms & Documents

      A selection of forms and other important product related documents.

    • Policyholder Information

      Useful information for policyholders.

    • Complaints process

      If you have a complaint, we'll do our best to resolve the situation.

    • Contact AIA

      How to get in contact with us.

    • Customer feedback

      Let us know how we're doing.

    • COVID-19

      How we are responding.

    • Part 9

      Information about the transfer under Part 9.

  • Search
  • Contact Us
    • Call Us

      Open: 8am to 6pm, AEST Mon - Fri

    • Find an adviser

Plan Well
Prev | Next
Back to Top
  • {{title}}

    {{label}}
  • Preventable cancers and how to avoid them

    Staff writer - 4 min read

    05 February 2018


    We look at 5 of the most preventable cancers and the steps you can take for the best chance of living cancer-free.

    beach hat

    Cancer is the leading cause of death in Australia, and a diagnosis can hit like a bolt from above - unforeseen, random and regularly chalked up to powers beyond our control.

    But according to a 2015 study by the Cancer Council of Australia, 38 per cent of the 48,000 annual cancer deaths in this country are potentially preventable.

    Speaking at the time of the study's release, Professor Sanchia Aranda, Cancer Council Australia CEO, said the its findings indicated risk factors such as smoking, UV exposure, poor diet choices, alcohol consumption and body weight contributed 90 per cent of all preventable cancers. The good news? These are all factors within your control.

    So, what are some of the most preventable types of cancer, and how can you avoid becoming another statistic?

    Skin

    We live in one of the world's most sun-drenched countries, and Australians on the whole have an obsession with the outdoors. But not everyone seems to be living by the classic 'slip, slop slap' mantra.

    In fact, Cancer Australia estimates that almost 14,000 new cases of melanoma - the most dangerous type of skin cancer - were diagnosed in the past year, and almost 2,000 people died from the disease.

    While the five-year survival rate from this type of cancer sits at 90 per cent, the focus shouldn't be on beating it - it should be on not getting it at all. The Cancer Council's guidelines on avoiding skin cancer involve some smart fashion choices, like a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing that covers your skin; applying a broad spectrum SPF30+ (or higher) sunscreen (and reapplying it every two hours); and limiting your exposure to sunlight by seeking shade.

    Cervical

    Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting women, and the seventh most common cancer overall.

    But thanks to significant scientific breakthroughs with the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine and regular Pap test screening, we now have has one of the lowest mortality rates from cervical cancer in the world.

    The guidelines around cervical screening changed slightly towards the end of last year, with the Department of Health replacing the Pap test with a new Cervical Screening test. So if you have a cervix, your GP will be able to chat you through the updates.

    Oral and lung cancers

    In Australia, 59 per cent of mouth cancers, as well as 84 per cent of lung cancers in men and 77 per cent in women, are caused by smoking. Around 31 per cent are caused by excess alcohol consumption.

    Together, these two vices make a terrible pair. Research indicates that alcohol and cigarettes, both known carcinogens, actually work in tandem to increase the risk of cancer in your upper digestive tract. Your best bet at avoiding these types of cancers is being more restrained in your alcohol consumption, and quitting cigarettes.

    Bowel

    There is now a clear body of evidence indicating bowel cancer is more prevalent among those who eat large amounts of red and processed meats. In 2015, the World Health Organisation (WHO) added processed meats (think bacon, ham, salami, sausages) to its Group 1 carcinogen list. This means there is overwhelming evidence these types of meat cause cancerous cells. The jury is still out on red meat though, with the WHO classifying this type of meat as a 'probable' cause of cancer.

    Because the delicate digestive system processes food, it has the most exposure to anything carcinogenic that you put in your body. For that reason, diet and alcohol consumption can both have a big effect on your risk of developing colorectal (bowel) cancer.

    With this in mind, the World Cancer Research Fund recommends limiting your intake of red meat to 500g or less per week, with very little - if any - of this amount being processed.

    Gastric

    While its occurrence continues to decline, gastric cancer remains the second most common cancer worldwide. About 2,100 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer in Australia each year, with men twice as likely to be affected as women.

    While the exact causes are unknown, strong links are emerging to lifestyle choices such as - you guessed it - poor diet and alcohol consumption. One of the main risk factors involved in this type of cancer is obesity.

    A recently published study in the British Journal of Cancer indicted that overweight people in their twenties who go on to become obese later in life could be three times more likely to develop cancer of the oesophagus or upper stomach later in life - even more compelling evidence for a balanced diet low on saturated fat.

    Staff writer icon

    Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

    Disclaimer:
    The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.

    Contact AIA

    1800 333 613

    PO Box 6111
    Melbourne VIC 3004

    infohub@aia.com

    AIA Global aia.com

    Contact AIA

    1800 333 613

    PO Box 6111
    Melbourne VIC 3004

    infohub@aia.com

    Help and support

    Make a claim

    Frequently asked questions

    Customer feedback

    Complaints process

    Whistleblower policy

    Form library

    Explore AIA

    AIA Vitality

    Health insurance

    Life insurance

    OneLife

    About AIA

    Careers

    Our people

    Our commitments

    Media centre

    Our awards

    FSC commitment

    Help and support

    Make a claim

    Frequently asked questions

    Customer feedback

    Complaints process

    Whistleblower disclosure

    Forms and documents library

    explore Aia

    AIA Vitality

    Health insurance

    Life insurance

    Retirement & investment

    Content Hub

    about AIA

    Careers

    Our people

    Our commitments

    Media centre

    Our awards

    FSC commitment


    Copyright © 2021. AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries or affiliates. All rights reserved. Priority Protection and Priority Protection for Platform Investors products are issued by AIA Australia Limited (ABN 79 004 837 861, AFSL 230043). AIA Vitality, a personalised, science-backed program that supports members every day to make healthier choices, is available with eligible products issued by AIA Australia. AIA Health with AIA Vitality is issued by AIA Health Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 32 611 323 034, a registered private health insurer governed by the Private Health Insurance Act 2207, Private Health Insurance Rules 2007 and the AIA Health Insurance Pty Ltd Fund Rules. The information on this website is current as at 1 April 2021 and may be subject to change. It is general information only and is not intended in any way to be financial, legal, tax, health, medical, nutritional or other advice. You should consider your own personal circumstances and needs and view the relevant product documents, fact sheets, fund rules and terms and conditions before making a decision to acquire such products. If necessary you should obtain professional advice from a financial, tax, medical or health professional. Unless expressly stated, any views or expressions of opinion (including any video content) do not represent the opinion of AIA.
    Terms of Use | Privacy