Protecting Yourself from Cancer

People once thought that there was little that they could do to protect themselves against cancer. In recent years, however, scientists have taken a closer look at cancer. They've learned more about how the disease develops and what biological and environmental factors increase cancer risk.

We now know that you can take steps to protect yourself against cancer. Your habits and behaviors can increase or decrease your risk of developing cancer. Lifestyle habits affect your health over many years. Here are some tips for protecting yourself from cancer:

• Stop smoking. Cigarette and cigar smoking and use of chewing tobacco or snuff cause cancer of the lung, throat, mouth, and esophagus. Also stay away from other people who are smoking. Passive smoking, or secondhand smoke, is the cause of thousands of lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year. Smoking has also been linked to cancer of the cervix in women.
• Limit the amount of high-fat foods in your diet, especially from animal sources. Eating too much saturated fat may increase the risk for colon, prostate, and breast cancer.
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants in these foods help protect against cancers. To reduce your risk for cancer, eat 4 to 5 cups of fruits and vegetables daily.
• Be physically active. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Drinking too much alcohol is related to cancer of the nose, mouth, tongue, digestive tract, and liver.
• Avoid exposure to the sun. Melanoma is a skin cancer that is usually related to being out in the sun. Use sunscreen and a hat whenever you go out into the sun.
• When working with or around chemicals that can cause cancer, use protective gear such as gloves, protective clothing, and respirators. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when you use chemicals at home or in the yard.
• Protect yourself from sexually transmitted viruses. Some sexually transmitted viruses, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), increase the risk of cervical and anal cancers. Be sure your partner is free of sexually transmitted disease. Use a latex or polyurethane condom every time you are sexually active unless you are in a long-term relationship with the same partner and your partner has no other sexual partners.

Take small steps toward a healthy lifestyle. If you decide you need to make changes in the way you live, you probably won't be able to turn your life around all at once. Try to develop healthy habits that incorporate these lifestyle goals. If you do, you may greatly decrease your chances for developing cancer.

If cancer is discovered early, treatment is much more successful. Have a medical checkup every year that includes cancer screening. Ask your healthcare provider for the cancer screening tests that are recommended for your age and family history. Be alert for signs of cancer between checkups.

To learn more about cancer, call the American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345 or the National Cancer Institute at 800-4-CANCER.