If you’re concerned about cancer prevention, take comfort in
the fact that some simple lifestyle changes can make a big
difference. Consider these seven cancer prevention tips.
1.
Don’t use tobacco
Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with
cancer. Smoking has been linked to various types of cancer —
including cancer of the lung, bladder, cervix and kidney. And
chewing tobacco has been linked to cancer of the oral cavity
and pancreas. Even if you don’t use tobacco, exposure to
secondhand smoke might increase your risk of lung cancer.
2. Eat a healthy diet
Although making healthy selections at the grocery store and
at mealtime can’t guarantee cancer prevention, it might help
reduce your risk. Consider these guidelines:
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Base your diet on fruits,
vegetables and other foods from plant sources — such as
whole grains and beans.
Limit fat. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-fat
foods, particularly those from animal sources. High-fat diets
tend to be higher in calories and might increase the risk of
overweight or obesity — which can, in turn, increase cancer
risk.
Avoid alcohol.
3. Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active
Maintaining a healthy weight might lower the risk of various
types of cancer, including cancer of the chest, prostate,
lung, colon and kidney.
Physical activity counts, too. In addition to helping you control
your weight, physical activity on its own might lower the risk
of chest cancer and colon cancer.
4. Protect yourself from the sun
Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer — and
one of the most preventable. Try these tips:
Avoid midday sun. Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4
p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Stay in the shade. When you’re outdoors, stay in the shade as
much as possible. Sunglasses and a broad-rimmed hat help,
too.
Cover exposed areas. Wear tightly woven, loosefitting
clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Opt for
bright or dark colors, which reflect more ultraviolet radiation
than pastels or bleached cotton.
Don’t skimp on sunscreen. Use generous amounts of
sunscreen when you’re outdoors, and reapply often.
5. Get immunized
Cancer prevention includes protection from certain viral
infections. Talk to your doctor about immunization against:
Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can increase the risk of developing
liver cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted
virus that can lead to cervical and other private part cancers
as well as squamous cell cancers of the head and neck.
6. Avoid risky behaviors
Another effective cancer prevention tactic is to avoid risky
behaviors that can lead to infections that, in turn, might
increase the risk of cancer. For example:
Practice safe s*x. The more s*xual partners you have in your
lifetime, the more likely you are to contract a sexually
transmitted infection — such as HIV or HPV. People who have
HIV or AIDS have a higher risk of cancer of the anus, liver and
lung. HPV is most often associated with cervical cancer, but it
might also increase the risk of cancer of the anus, man-hood,
throat, vulva and v**ina.
Don’t share needles. Sharing needles with an infected drug
user can lead to HIV, as well as hepatitis B and hepatitis C —
which can increase the risk of liver cancer. If you’re
concerned about drug abuse or addiction, seek professional
help.
7. Get regular medical care
Regular self-exams and screenings for various types of
cancers — such as cancer of the skin, colon, prostate,
cervix and chest — can increase your chances of discovering
cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful.
Ask your doctor about the best cancer screening schedule for
you.
Take cancer prevention into your own hands, starting today.
The rewards will last a lifetime.
the fact that some simple lifestyle changes can make a big
difference. Consider these seven cancer prevention tips.
1.
Don’t use tobacco
Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with
cancer. Smoking has been linked to various types of cancer —
including cancer of the lung, bladder, cervix and kidney. And
chewing tobacco has been linked to cancer of the oral cavity
and pancreas. Even if you don’t use tobacco, exposure to
secondhand smoke might increase your risk of lung cancer.
2. Eat a healthy diet
Although making healthy selections at the grocery store and
at mealtime can’t guarantee cancer prevention, it might help
reduce your risk. Consider these guidelines:
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Base your diet on fruits,
vegetables and other foods from plant sources — such as
whole grains and beans.
Limit fat. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-fat
foods, particularly those from animal sources. High-fat diets
tend to be higher in calories and might increase the risk of
overweight or obesity — which can, in turn, increase cancer
risk.
Avoid alcohol.
3. Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active
Maintaining a healthy weight might lower the risk of various
types of cancer, including cancer of the chest, prostate,
lung, colon and kidney.
Physical activity counts, too. In addition to helping you control
your weight, physical activity on its own might lower the risk
of chest cancer and colon cancer.
4. Protect yourself from the sun
Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer — and
one of the most preventable. Try these tips:
Avoid midday sun. Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4
p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Stay in the shade. When you’re outdoors, stay in the shade as
much as possible. Sunglasses and a broad-rimmed hat help,
too.
Cover exposed areas. Wear tightly woven, loosefitting
clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Opt for
bright or dark colors, which reflect more ultraviolet radiation
than pastels or bleached cotton.
Don’t skimp on sunscreen. Use generous amounts of
sunscreen when you’re outdoors, and reapply often.
5. Get immunized
Cancer prevention includes protection from certain viral
infections. Talk to your doctor about immunization against:
Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can increase the risk of developing
liver cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted
virus that can lead to cervical and other private part cancers
as well as squamous cell cancers of the head and neck.
6. Avoid risky behaviors
Another effective cancer prevention tactic is to avoid risky
behaviors that can lead to infections that, in turn, might
increase the risk of cancer. For example:
Practice safe s*x. The more s*xual partners you have in your
lifetime, the more likely you are to contract a sexually
transmitted infection — such as HIV or HPV. People who have
HIV or AIDS have a higher risk of cancer of the anus, liver and
lung. HPV is most often associated with cervical cancer, but it
might also increase the risk of cancer of the anus, man-hood,
throat, vulva and v**ina.
Don’t share needles. Sharing needles with an infected drug
user can lead to HIV, as well as hepatitis B and hepatitis C —
which can increase the risk of liver cancer. If you’re
concerned about drug abuse or addiction, seek professional
help.
7. Get regular medical care
Regular self-exams and screenings for various types of
cancers — such as cancer of the skin, colon, prostate,
cervix and chest — can increase your chances of discovering
cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful.
Ask your doctor about the best cancer screening schedule for
you.
Take cancer prevention into your own hands, starting today.
The rewards will last a lifetime.
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