Cancer

Seven steps to reduce your risk of cancer

(NC)-Taking steps towards living a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of cancer. In fact, at least 50 per cent of cancers can be prevented through healthy living and policies that protect the public.

Positive changes are as simple as making smarter choices at the grocery store, practising sun safety and, when possible, walking instead of driving.

A personalized, printable profile outlining the healthy lifestyle changes you can make is available through the Canadian Cancer Society Checkup Checklist, at www.cancer.ca. Simply answer a few easy questions about your age, health and lifestyle, and you'll instantly get health tips and cancer screening guidelines customized for you. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends taking the following steps to reduce your risk of developing cancer:

1. Be a non-smoker and avoid second-hand smoke.
2. Eat 5 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruit per day. Choose high fibre, lower-fat foods. If you drink alcohol, limit your intake to one to two drinks per day.
3. Be physically active on a regular basis. Eating well and being physically active will help you maintain a healthy body weight.
4. Protect yourself and your family from the sun. Reduce sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and any time of day when the UV Index is over 3. Just like the sun, tanning beds and sun lamps emit ultraviolet rays that cause skin damage, such as sunburns, premature aging and cataracts. Check your skin regularly and report any changes to your doctor.
5. Follow cancer screening guidelines. For women, discuss mammography, Pap tests and breast exams with a health professional. For men, discuss testicular exams and prostate screening with a health professional. Both men and women should also discuss screening for colon and rectal cancers.
6. Visit your doctor or dentist if you notice any change in your normal state of health.
7. Follow health and safety instructions at home and at work when using, storing and disposing of hazardous materials.

The Canadian Cancer Society believes that everyone plays a role in cancer prevention—governments, health agencies, corporations, schools, and workplaces. That is why the Society dedicates its advocacy efforts to create policies to protect the public such as limiting tobacco use, banning the cosmetic use of pesticides, and calling for a province-wide colorectal screening program.

When you want to know more about cancer, call the Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333 or visit www.cancer.ca.

Courtesy NewsCanada