Primary prevention of cancer: priorities for practical implementation and research.

In CMEA countries among all malignant neoplasms lung cancer ranks as a first both in incidence and mortality followed by stomach, breast and cervical cancer, lung and breast cancer being on increase, while stomach and cervical cancer have been decreasing. To the most important causes of cancer belong smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, certain occupational exposures, ambient-air pollution. Therefore, the priorities in cancer prevention and control in the CMEA countries should be directed towards complete removal or reduction in the exposure to these risk factors. Modification of diet, most probably, would reduce the frequency of some of the aforgoing cancers and first of all cancer of the stomach.