Four Ways to Reduce Your Cancer Risk Right Now

Focus on Fruits and Vegetables

1. Quit Smoking
Smoking has been linked to numerous types of cancer, including lung, bladder, cervix and kidney, and chewing tobacco has been linked to oral and pancreatic cancer. Encourage those close to you to quit smoking, too, as secondhand smoke can also increase your risk for lung cancer.

2. Get Physical
Maintaining a healthy weight may lower the risk of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney. Physical activity also helps; in addition to helping control weight, exercise alone may lower the risk of breast and colon cancer. Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of physical activity into your daily routine.

3. Focus on Fruits and Vegetables
Studies have shown that the best diet for preventing or fighting cancer is one that is plant based, which means primarily eating foods that come from plants like vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains and beans.

4. Take Early Detection Seriously
Regular self-exams and screenings for various types of cancers — such as skin, colon, prostate, cervix and breast — increase your chances of discovering cancer early when treatment is typically most successful. Check our list of cancer screening recommendations and talk to your doctor to determine what screening schedule is right for you.