February is National Cancer Prevention month and Nevada Cancer Institute wants to remind all Nevadans that making healthy lifestyle choices is one of the most effective things they can do to reduce their cancer risk. Approximately one third of all cancers are preventable, and scientists estimate that as many as 50-75 percent of cancer deaths in the United States are caused by human behaviors such as smoking, physical inactivity, and poor dietary choices.
Below are a few basic prevention tips that will not only reduce your cancer risk but help form a foundation for a healthier lifestyle, too.
- Eat healthy foods. A diet that is low in alcohol, processed sugars, red meat, and calories, and high in fruits and vegetables and loaded with antioxidants, is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of certain cancers.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Research has shown that moderate to intensive aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of recurrence of several cancers, including colon and breast cancer.
- Protect yourself from the sun. Sun exposure is the most common cause of skin cancer.
- Don’t use tobacco. Smoking and tobacco use has been linked to many types of cancer, including lung, mouth, throat, kidney, and pancreatic, among others.
- Get screened. Certain cancers can be detected early through screening.
- Talk to your doctor. Based on specific risk factors—including your age, family history, and certain lifestyle factors—your doctor can provide specific recommendations and screening schedules to help further decrease your cancer risk.
For more information about cancer risk and prevention, and a list of NVCI’s suggested cancer screening guidelines, visit the community programs section at www.nevadacancerinstitute.org.