Risk factors raise or reduce a person’s chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors, such as heredity, cannot be controlled. There are many risk factors that can be controlled, however. A person’s lifestyle, such as what they eat or if they smoke, can affect their risk of getting cancer. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can make a dramatic impact on the reduction of cancer deaths, as well the reduction of the number of people who develop the disease. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Since 1990, over 10 million cancer cases have been diagnosed. In 2003, over 1.3 million new cases will be diagnosed. The following are risk factors that can be reduced by lifestyle modification.

 
Tobacco Use - Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in our society. It is estimated that 434,000 Americans died last year as the result of smoking. Cigarette smoking alone is directly responsible for at least one-third of all cancer deaths each year in the United States. Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemical agents, including 60 substances known to cause cancer. A relationship has been made between tobacco use and cancers of the lung, larynx, oral cavity and esophagus. In addition, cigarette smoking is considered a contributing factor to cancers of the stomach, liver, bladder, kidneys, prostate, colon and rectum. Quitting smoking substantially lowers the risk for cancer. The sooner you quit smoking, the sooner you reap the benefits. Of course, the best plan is to never start smoking.

Healthy Eating - Scientific research is uncovering compelling evidence that foods, dietary patterns and certain nutrients are associated with the risk for developing several types of cancers. It has been estimated that 35 percent of cancer deaths may be related to dietary factors. Research shows that diets low in fat and high in fiber, fruits, vegetables and grains are linked to a reduced risk for many cancers. The American Cancer Society recommends eating five or more servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables daily, as well as a limiting the consumption of red meat. Whole grains should be used in place of processed (refined) grains. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not a substitute for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other plant-based foods. There is no evidence to suggest that these supplements reduce the risk for cancer. Food presently remains the best source of vitamins and minerals.

Exercise - Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of certain cancers. Studies show that being overweight can lead to an increased risk for cancers of the colon, prostate, breast, uterus and kidney. Although the exact relationship is not clear, it is thought that exercise can reduce the risk by helping to control weight, influencing hormones, as well as other ways not yet understood. The American Cancer Society recommends moderate activity for at least 30 minutes, five or more days a week. Even more exercise may be beneficial for reducing the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.

Sun Exposure - Excess exposure to the sun’s UV rays causes skin cancer, the most common of all cancers. More than one million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and nearly 54,000 cases of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will be diagnosed in the United States this year. Even though melanoma accounts for a small percentage of skin cancer cases, it is responsible for 79 percent of skin cancer deaths. It is important to avoid unnecessary exposure the sun by wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. These precautions should be taken even when it is cool or overcast.