THINKING about cancer is something most of us would rather avoid, but today we know that paying more attention to our cancer risk is something that can yield real dividends. Researchers tell us that the majority of cancers we face are preventable not through new drugs or medical breakthroughs but through simple lifestyle choices.
The landmark 1997 report, Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: a global perspective, published by AICR and WCRF UK, documented the real potential of cancer prevention. The scientists who produced this report estimated that 30% to 40% of cancers are directly linked to our diets and related factors, such as maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active. They also found that 30% of cancers could be prevented by not smoking. Just a few simple changes can help reduce cancer risk for you and your family.
Diet and Cancer
The foods you choose each day are one of the most important factors in protecting you against cancer. Most Americans eat a diet that is far too high in fat and calories. Even more important is what the average U.S. diet lacks: a variety of vegetables, fruits, beans and other plant-based foods.
Eating a healthier diet, one that not only can help protect against cancer, but also against heart disease, stroke and a variety of other health problems, is easier to do than you may think. A good starting point is the AICR Diet and Health Guidelines for Cancer Prevention.
Food Choices, Exercise and a Healthy Weight
Your overall health and cancer risk are very much affected by the things you do in your life. Free AICR educational publications related to healthier living and lower cancer risk are available through this site. Choosing healthy foods, particularly a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, gives your body not only the nutrients it needs for good health, but a whole arsenal of compounds within food that help protect against the naturally-occuring cancer risks you face every day.
Similarly, maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active have also been shown to be important in helping your body protect itself against cancer. There's nothing magic or difficult about these types of lifestyle choices. Eat right, stay active and watch your weight put them all together and they add up to a formula that can cut cancer risk by 30 to 40%.
The AICR Diet and Health Guidelines for Cancer Prevention are a good foundation for a healthy diet that can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.
If you are currently overweight or physically inactive, check with your physician for the best and safest ways to begin making changes for better health.
Smoking and Cancer
Smoking is the most publicized of cancer risks. There is no question that smoking, or using tobacco in any form, is one of the worst choices you can make from a health perspective. Not only does the use of tobacco greatly increase risk for lung cancer, but it also appears to influence some other forms of cancer, and significantly increases your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
If you do not currently smoke, don't start.
If you do smoke, stop.
Today there is more help than ever for those who wish to stop smoking. Your doctor or local hospital can help you find assistance.
