Key points
- Cancer found early is often curable. In Iran many patients reach a doctor late; nearly half of women with breast cancer are diagnosed at stage 3 or higher [2].
- Stomach, breast and lung cancer cause the most cancer deaths in Iran [1]; for each there is a simple step that lowers the risk.
- These 5 steps are cheap, have strong evidence, and most can be done at a health centre or a GP's office.
1. Have any new breast lump checked within a few weeks
At any age, even under 40, show a doctor any new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit. In an Iranian study, a third of patients had delayed more than 3 months, and delay was linked to more advanced stage [2]. In studies worldwide, a delay of 3 months or more was linked to 12% lower survival [3].
Step-by-step guide: I found a lump in my breast. What should I do? · Mammography from what age? (Persian)
2. If stomach cancer runs in the family, get tested for H. pylori
The Helicobacter pylori germ is treated with a few oral medicines. In first-degree relatives of people with stomach cancer, treating this germ cut the risk of stomach cancer by more than half [4]. Also take long-lasting indigestion, weight loss, difficulty swallowing or black stools seriously.
Read more: Should I be tested for H. pylori?
3. Take the stool test, and if it is positive, have a colonoscopy
In Iran's screening programme, a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is offered to people aged 50 to 70. In Isfahan only about 40% of people took the test, and of those with a positive result only 20% had a colonoscopy, although a quarter of these people had polyps or cancer [5]. Colonoscopy later than 10 months after a positive test was linked to more and more advanced cancer [6].
Read more: My stool test was positive. What should I do? · Colonoscopy from what age? (Persian)
4. Vaccinate girls against HPV, and women should have cervical screening
The HPV virus causes cervical cancer. HPV vaccine coverage in Iran is below 10% and there is no structured national programme [7]. In Sweden, women vaccinated before age 17 had nearly 90% less cervical cancer [8]. For women, in European trials, screening with an HPV test led to 40% fewer invasive cervical cancers than screening with a Pap smear [9].
Read more: Cervical cancer · the site's screening tool (Persian)
5. Quit cigarettes and opium, and ask about low-dose CT
Opium, whether smoked or eaten, more than doubles the risk of lung cancer and nearly triples the risk of bladder cancer [12]. For heavy smokers aged 50 to 80 (20 pack-years or more, who still smoke or quit within the last 15 years), yearly low-dose CT is recommended [11]; in the NLST trial it cut deaths from lung cancer by 20% [10].
Read more: Does opium cause cancer? · Symptoms of lung cancer (Persian)
When should I contact a doctor?
Screening is for people without symptoms. If you have symptoms, do not wait for a screening appointment; see a doctor now: a new lump anywhere on the body, unusual bleeding (from the bottom, in the urine, in sputum or between periods), unexplained weight loss, a cough or hoarseness lasting more than 3 weeks, difficulty swallowing, or a sore that does not heal.
Notes for doctors (for physicians)
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In Iran, stomach cancer is the leading cause of cancer death (12,703 deaths, 13%), followed by breast (9,400) and lung (8,355) [1]. Main gaps: a delay of more than 3 months in 34% of breast cancer patients (aOR for advanced stage 3.25) [2]; follow-up of only 20% of positive FITs in Isfahan [5]; HPV vaccine coverage below 10% [7]. Choi 2020: HR 0.45 for gastric cancer with eradication in first-degree relatives [4]. Corley 2017: OR for cancer 1.48 with colonoscopy 10 to 12 months after a positive FIT [6]. Lei 2020: IRR 0.12 with vaccination before age 17 [8]. Ronco 2014: rate ratio for invasive cancer 0.60 with HPV-based screening vs cytology [9]. USPSTF 2021: annual LDCT for ages 50 to 80 with 20 pack-years [11]. Full list of actions: 10 cheap steps that save lives.
Scientific evidence
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Scientific evidence
6 itemsFamily History of Gastric Cancer and Helicobacter pylori Treatment
HPV Vaccination and the Risk of Invasive Cervical Cancer
Efficacy of HPV-based screening for prevention of invasive cervical cancer: follow-up of four European randomised controlled trials
Reduced Lung-Cancer Mortality with Low-Dose Computed Tomographic Screening
Screening for Lung Cancer
Opium use and subsequent incidence of cancer: results from the Golestan Cohort Study
References
12 referencesShow all references, 6 with a study cardClose the reference list
Numbers in the text, such as [1], refer to these sources. Sources with a “Study card” button are summarised in the site’s evidence library.
- 1
- 2
- 3Influence of delay on survival in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review
- 4Family History of Gastric Cancer and Helicobacter pylori Treatment
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8HPV Vaccination and the Risk of Invasive Cervical Cancer
- 9Efficacy of HPV-based screening for prevention of invasive cervical cancer: follow-up of four European randomised controlled trials
- 10Reduced Lung-Cancer Mortality with Low-Dose Computed Tomographic Screening
- 11Screening for Lung Cancer
- 12Opium use and subsequent incidence of cancer: results from the Golestan Cohort Study
This page is based on reputable scientific sources and was last updated on 27 October 2026. The content of this website is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a specialist physician. Consult your treating physician about any treatment decision.