Tools of prevention

[GarryDrold]

There are many tools of prevention, including the following major tools:

Establishing a healthy lifestyle, which includes habits such as wearing a seat belt, eating a healthy diet, getting enough physical exercise, wearing sunscreen, and not smoking
Getting vaccinated to prevent infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, and childhood infections
Following recommendations for screening so that disorders such as high blood pressure and cancer are detected early
If people are at high risk of developing certain disorders (such as atherosclerosis) or have such a disorder, taking drugs as recommended to prevent the disorder from developing or worsening (preventive drug therapy, also known as chemoprevention)

Preventive drug therapy includes cholesterol-lowering drugs to prevent atherosclerosis, aspirin to prevent heart attacks or strokes, tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer in women with increased risk, and antihypertensive drugs to reduce blood pressure and prevent strokes.