citizensmemorial.com 11 Cancer is a leading cause of death in the U.S., which is why hearing the words “you have cancer” can be terrifying. There are numerous risk factors for cancer, and some of them we can’t control, such as our age or our family history of the disease. But at the same time, we have the power to help lower our risk of developing many types of cancer. What follows are six steps we can take to help prevent cancer. There’s no guarantee, of course, that even if we adopt all of these recommendations, we won’t get cancer. But they can help keep the disease at bay. And that makes trying them worthwhile. 1} Maintain a healthy weight. Controlling your weight may decrease the risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer in postmenopausal women; endometrial (uterine) cancer; and kidney, pancreatic and colorectal cancers. One of the main ways being overweight increases cancer risk is that excess weight causes the body to make and circulate estrogen and insulin, hormones that can stimulate cancer cells. 2} Keep moving. Exercise is key to achieving a healthy weight, and it can help lower the risk of colorectal cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer and endometrial cancer. Adults should get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous exercise each week. 3} Steer clear of tobacco— whether you smoke or not. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, and cigarettes cause most cases. Smoking also causes a long list of other cancers, including cancers of the mouth and throat, stomach, colon, liver, bladder, and pancreas. In addition, adults exposed to secondhand smoke are 20% to 30% more likely to develop lung cancer. 4} Know the risks of alcohol. Drinking alcohol, even in small amounts, can increase the risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer. PREVENTION of your cancer risk 5} Protect your skin. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds can damage the skin and trigger cancer. You can lower your risk by seeking shade from the sun; avoiding tanning beds; applying sunscreen; and wearing sun-protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses. 6} Get any needed vaccines. Some cancers—such as those of the cervix, penis, vagina, anus and oropharynx—are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common sexually transmitted infection. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause these cancers. There is also a vaccine to prevent hepatitis B, which can lead to liver disease or cancer. Talk to your primary care provider to see if you need one or both of these vaccines. Sources: American Cancer Society; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute These 6 tips may help prevent the disease
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