Cancer Prevention

A cancer diagnosis is scary and serious. And if caught late, your chances of survival decrease. Thus, it's imperative to report unusual or new symptoms to your doctor. Even better, it helps to take steps to decrease your likelihood of developing this potentially deadly disease. There are no guaranteed methods to prevent cancer. But there are ways to lower your risk.

Risks and Screenings

• Regardless of whether you have a family history of cancer, annual screenings are imperative to good health. Some types of cancers such as cervical, skin and colon usually begin as pre-cancerous tumors; and removing these benign lesions can lower your chance of developing cancer.

  Cancer tends to run in families. And knowing your family's medical history can help you ascertain your risk. Along with regular screenings, conduct a monthly examination of your body. Check for lumps, sore spots or suspicious moles.

Healthy Diet

• Poor diet plays a role in cancer. And if you want to prevent cancer and maintain your health, now's the time to modify your eating habits and make healthy choices. Fruits and vegetables are essential to good health. They're loaded with vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants, which are crucial to cancer prevention. Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body and repair cell damage. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and limit your consumption of red meats and fatty foods. A high-fat diet increases the likelihood of certain cancers such as colon and breast.

Get Plenty of Exercise

• According to the American Cancer Society, regular physical activity can drastically reduce your risk of developing cancer. Make it your aim to fit 30 minutes of exercise or activity into your daily routine--at least three times a week. Movement is essential, and this can include high-impact workouts such as aerobics or jogging; or low-impact workouts like walking or swimming.

Protect Your Skin

• Sun exposure increases your risk of skin cancer. But there's a way to protect your skin and health. Apply sunscreen prior to going outdoors--especially on hot summer days when the sun's UV rays are high. Re-apply sunscreen as directed on the bottle--normally every three or four hours, and wear protective gear such as hats and long sleeves.

Give Up Cigarettes

• Throat, lung, esophageal and oral cancer are all directly related to tobacco use or exposure to smoke. Reduce your risk by kicking the cigarette habit and avoiding secondhand smoke, which is involuntarily breathing in smoke from someone else's cigarette or cigar.