Seven steps you can take right now to reduce your cancer risk

While you can’t change your genes, you can take proactive steps to manage your health.

Experts with the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital recommend the following lifestyle tips that can help reduce your risks of developing cancer:  

1. Avoid tobacco. Cancers linked to tobacco use make up 40 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. Smoking and chewing tobacco have been linked to at least 12 types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth and throat, voice box, esophagus, stomach, kidney, pancreas, liver, bladder, cervix, colon, rectum, and a type of leukemia. Quitting tobacco use at any age can reduce the risk of getting or dying from cancer. 
2. Maintain a healthy weight and stay physically active. Excess weight is associated with an increased risk of colon, endometrial, breast, kidney and esophageal cancers. It may also play a role in other cancers including prostate, liver, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas and thyroid cancer. Physical activity helps control weight and may lower the risk of breast and colon cancers. “Exercise, in combination with a diet focused on whole foods and working with a medical provider, can help people reach a weight associated with lower cancer risk,” said Carson Nestler, a certified genetic counselor at Smilow Cancer Hospital. 
3. Eat a healthy diet. Medical experts recommend a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in saturated/trans-fat, red meat and processed meat.
4. Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol – any type of alcoholic beverage -- increases the risk of various cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus and liver.  
5. Protect against sun exposure. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers yet one of the most preventable. Limit your sun exposure: wear hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing; use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 every day; and avoid using tanning beds or sun lamps. 
6. Consider vaccinations. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated against hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV), which can help reduce the risks of liver, cervical and other genital cancers. 
7. Commit to cancer screenings. Regular self-exams and screenings can improve the chances of finding cancer early That's when treatment is most likely to succeed. Ask your healthcare provider about the best cancer screening schedule for you.