The government might try to prevent skin cancer by educating people about reducing sun exposure with sunscreen or clothing. They would be taking steps to reduce the incidence of skin cancer. As an individual, I would wear the correct clothing and use sunscreen to avoid getting skin cancer. With regards to disease, individuals will avoid and groups will prevent.

Hi The correct verb is prevent for example : It has been claimed that fibre in the diet could help prevent many serious diseases. let to see where we use avoid : In situations you don't like a specific thing or an action and also when something may harm you, you can use avoid. for example : I avoid making friendships with a smoking guy! You should avoid drinking alcohol Google defines the words as : Avoid: keep away from or stop oneself from doing (something). Prevent: keep (something) from happening.

Avoid is not the same thing as to prevent. To prevent disease = to cure a disease when already there is some tiny sickness. Avoid = not get sick at all.

You should avoid someone who has the flu so that you prevent yourself from catching it. Avoid eating sugar to prevent diabetes.