Live it Out
Here are five everyday steps you and your family can take to lower your cancer risk, according to the American Cancer Society.
1) Test Yourself - Regular cancer screening tests for colon, prostate, breast and cervical cancers can help detect the disease at an early stage, when a successful treatment is much more likely. Talk to you doctor about scheduling these tests on a regular basis.
2) Lighten Up - If youʼre overweight or obese, you have a higher risk for many cancers, including breast, colorectal, uterine, esophageal and kidney. To shed those extra pounds, follow Steps #3 and #4.
3) Work Up A Sweat - Regular exercise lowers the risk for breast, prostate and colon cancer. It also improves your overall health, making you less likely to have diabetes and heart disease. Make it your goal to be physically active at least 30- 60 minutes a day, five days a week.
4) Watch What You Eat - Your mother was right when she told you to eat your vegetables. A healthy diet includes five servings of fruits and vegetables and three servings of whole grains each day. Eating less processed and red meat can lower your risk of colon and prostate cancer.
5) Quit Blowing Smoke - Stopping your cigarette habit is one of the best ways to lower your risk of cancer. Thatʼs because smoking accounts for about 30 percent of all cancer deaths. No wonder cigarettes are called ʻcancer sticks.ʼ