Eight guidelines to reduce your risk for cancer
1. Don't use tobacco of any kind
Smoking has been linked to many types of cancer including cancer of the bladder, cervix, esophagus, kidney, lip, lung, mouth, pancreas, throat, and voice box (larynx).
Also avoid chewing tobacco and snuff. Reduce your exposure to secondhand smoke as well to reduce your risk for lung cancer.
2. Eat a variety of healthy foods
from American Cancer Society
Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Plant based foods are helpful in reducing the risk of cancers of the colon, esophagus, lung and stomach. Eat whole grains, beans and plant based foods several times a day.
3. Limit fat intake
Eat leaner meats and low fat foods from animal sources. High-fat diets may increase your chances for becoming overweight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of cancer.
4. Avoid alcohol or drink in moderation
Your risk for mouth, throat, esophagus, kidney, liver and breast cancer increase even with moderate drinking-- two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. Being over 65 increases your risk if you drink one drink a day, regardless of your sex.
5. Be active and maintain a healthy weight
Since obesity increases your risk of certain kinds of cancer, staying active and controlling your weight can lower your risk.
Thirty minutes of physical activity most days of the week is a good starting point. Talk to your doctor to find a safe exercise program for your needs.
6. Protect yourself from the sun
Skin Cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer.
Avoid peak radiation hours 10am-4pm. Use sunscreen if you are out and try to stay in the shade. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and a hat to cover your head and ears
Avoid indoor tanning beds as they can also damage your skin
7. Get immunized
Some types of cancer are associated with viral infections and can be prevented by being immunized against Hepatitis B and Human papillomavirus (HPV).
Avoid risky behaviors by abstaining from sex or using condoms. Also limit the number of sexual partners you have.
HPV is associated with cervical cancer but can increase your risk for other types as well. According to the Mayo Clinic, "The more sexual partners you have in your lifetime, the more likely you are to have HPV."
People with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at risk for anal, cervical, liver, lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma cancer.
IV drug users who share needles and people who have multiple sexual partners are at a greater risk of HIV.
Hepatitis B and C infection can increase your risk of liver cancer.
8. Get screened for cancer
This should include skin, mouth, colon and rectum. For women it should also include cervix and breast cancer screenings. For men it should also include prostate and testes screenings.
Self-examination on a regular basis may increase the chances of discovering cancer early. Early treatment is more likely successful.
source from Mayo clinic
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