Cancer prevention: 7 tips to reduce your risk Show
Concerned about cancer prevention? Take charge by making changes such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular screenings. By Mayo Clinic StaffYou've probably heard conflicting reports about cancer prevention. Sometimes a specific cancer-prevention tip recommended in one study is advised against in another. Often, what's known about cancer prevention is still evolving. However, it's well-accepted that your chances of developing cancer are affected by the lifestyle choices you make. So if you're interested in preventing cancer, take comfort in the fact that simple lifestyle changes can make a difference. Consider these cancer-prevention tips. 1. Don't use tobaccoUsing 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, mouth, throat, larynx, pancreas, bladder, cervix and kidney. 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. Avoiding tobacco — or deciding to stop using it — is an important part of cancer prevention. If you need help quitting tobacco, ask your doctor about stop-smoking products and other strategies for quitting. 2. Eat a healthy dietAlthough making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime can't guarantee cancer prevention, it might reduce your risk. Consider these guidelines:
In addition, women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts might have a reduced risk of breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet focuses mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. People who follow the Mediterranean diet choose healthy fats, such as olive oil, over butter and fish instead of red meat. 3. Maintain a healthy weight and be physically activeMaintaining a healthy weight might lower the risk of various types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, 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 breast cancer and colon cancer. Adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits. But for substantial health benefits, strive to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity. You can also do a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. As a general goal, include at least 30 minutes of physical activity in your daily routine — and if you can do more, even better. 4. Protect yourself from the sunSkin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer — and one of the most preventable. Try these tips:
5. Get vaccinatedCancer prevention includes protection from certain viral infections. Talk to your doctor about vaccination against:
6. Avoid risky behaviorsAnother 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:
7. Get regular medical careRegular self-exams and screenings for various types of cancers — such as cancer of the skin, colon, cervix and breast — 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. Sign up for free,
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. What are 3 important cancer prevention strategies?Consider these cancer-prevention tips.. Don't use tobacco. Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with cancer. ... . Eat a healthy diet. ... . Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active. ... . Protect yourself from the sun. ... . Get vaccinated. ... . Avoid risky behaviors.. What types of cancer may be reduced with a physical activity?Some evidence suggests that people who are active their entire lives have the lowest risk of colon cancer. Breast cancer. Similar large, long-term studies show that women who engage in moderate to vigorous exercise for more than 3 hours per week have a 30% to 40% lower risk of breast cancer.
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