Cancer is a preventable disease that requires major lifestyle changes. This review highlights that while 5–10% of cancer cases are due to genetic defects, the majority (90–95%) are linked to environmental and lifestyle factors. Key risk factors include tobacco use, diet (especially red meat and fried foods), alcohol consumption, obesity, infections, and environmental pollutants. Tobacco is responsible for 25–30% of cancer deaths, alcohol for 30–35%, and infections for 15–20%. Preventive measures include smoking cessation, increased fruit and vegetable intake, moderate alcohol use, caloric restriction, exercise, and avoiding direct sunlight. Inflammation is a critical link between cancer-causing agents and protective factors. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy diet, and reducing obesity, are essential for cancer prevention. The review emphasizes that cancer is not primarily genetic but influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors, making it a preventable disease through significant lifestyle modifications. Various dietary agents, including curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, silymarin, and indole-3-carbinol, have shown chemopreventive potential. These compounds target inflammatory pathways, inhibit carcinogenesis, and modulate cell signaling. Overall, the review underscores the importance of lifestyle changes in cancer prevention and highlights the potential of natural compounds in reducing cancer risk.Cancer is a preventable disease that requires major lifestyle changes. This review highlights that while 5–10% of cancer cases are due to genetic defects, the majority (90–95%) are linked to environmental and lifestyle factors. Key risk factors include tobacco use, diet (especially red meat and fried foods), alcohol consumption, obesity, infections, and environmental pollutants. Tobacco is responsible for 25–30% of cancer deaths, alcohol for 30–35%, and infections for 15–20%. Preventive measures include smoking cessation, increased fruit and vegetable intake, moderate alcohol use, caloric restriction, exercise, and avoiding direct sunlight. Inflammation is a critical link between cancer-causing agents and protective factors. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy diet, and reducing obesity, are essential for cancer prevention. The review emphasizes that cancer is not primarily genetic but influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors, making it a preventable disease through significant lifestyle modifications. Various dietary agents, including curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, silymarin, and indole-3-carbinol, have shown chemopreventive potential. These compounds target inflammatory pathways, inhibit carcinogenesis, and modulate cell signaling. Overall, the review underscores the importance of lifestyle changes in cancer prevention and highlights the potential of natural compounds in reducing cancer risk.