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 Quick Steps for Cancer Prevention
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Half of all cancers can be prevented by
things you can do. You can take control of your own health and make your
families health better by following these seven suggestions. In doing so, you
will help yourself and your families lower the risk of cancer and also
diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Healthy Weight
You can lower the risk of cancers of the breast, colon,
rectum, and uterus by maintaining a healthy weight.
Healthy tips for weight:
- Be physically active.
- Balance your food amount with the energy you use.
Tips for parents & grandparents:
- Get the kids moving! Limit their time as a "couch potato".
- Have healthy snacks on hand like fruits and vegetables.
Physical Activity
Daily physical activity lowers the risk of colon cancers and may lower the
risk of breast cancer.
Get 30 minutes of physical activity on most days.
Physically activity tips:
- Try dancing, jogging, or walking – anything you enjoy. Many things can
count as a physical activity.
- Any physical activity is better that not moving at all.
Tips for parents & grandparents:
- Kids need to play outside. Let them participate in sports or any other
physical activity to get them moving.
- From the time they are young, do activities with them regularly.
Say NO to smoking
Using tobacco (chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and pipes) is associated
with bladder, cervix, colon, kidney, lungs, pancreas, prostate, rectum and
throats cancers.
Tips for quitting:
- 1,000 plus Americans quit every day. It is tough but not impossible.
- For help contact your doctor.
- Use your employer's resources. They may offer a program to help
employees quit.
Tips for parents & grandparents:
- By you quitting your children are less likely to smoke.
- Second hand smoke is harmful because they are at risk to develop
breathing problems and cancer. Don't smoke in your car or home.
- Speak to your children about the effects of smoking.
Healthy Diet
By eating a healthy diet, you can lower your risk of breast, colon, lung,
pancreas, rectum, and stomach cancers.
Healthy diet tips:
- Fruits and vegetables should be part of your daily meals. Vegetables
can be snacks. Fruits can go in cereals.
- In place of red meat, eat beans, chicken or fish. Less red meat is
better.
- Make good selections like brown rice, pasta and whole wheat breads.
Tips for parents & grandparents:
- Keep fruit out for the children to snack from.
- When eating out, especially fast food; encourage them to choose broiled
chicken instead of a burger.
- Whole wheat bread sandwiches are better than white.
Limit Alcohol Intake
Drink less than one alcoholic drink a day. A bottle of beer, a glass of wine
or a shot of hard liquor equals one drink. Limiting alcohol lowers the risk of
breast, colon, esophagus, mouth, rectum, and throat cancers.
Alcohol intake tips:
- At meals and parties pick non-alcoholic drinks like juices and
sodas.
- Special occasions that center around alcohol should be avoided.
- If you have trouble with alcohol limitations, contact a health
professional.
Tips for parents & grandparents:
- At gathering, especially family, avoid alcohol drinks being a major
part.
- Discuss the dangers of drinking and drug addiction with your
children.
Sun Protection
Skin cancer is linked to sunlight.
Sun protection tips:
- During peak burning hours (10am and 4pm) avoid the direct sunlight.
- Hats, shirts with long sleeves and sunscreens, 15 SPF or higher, should
be used.
- SUNBURN – Avoid it!
- Tanning booths and sun lamps should not be used.
Tips for parents & grandparents:
- Protect your kids. Make sure they have sunscreen, a hat, and long
sleeved shirt.
- You should also protect yourself the same way.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Cancers, like anus, cervix, liver and vagina, can be linked to sexually
transmitted infections.
Sexually transmitted infections prevention:
- Protect ;your self - Abstain
- If sexually active, practice safe sex - Use condoms.
- Always be prepared. Never rely on your partner to have condoms.
Tips for parents & grandparents:
- Talk to your kids, when appropriate, why it
is safe sex or abstinence is important. You can also contact your school
or health professional.
Tests for Cancer
Screening tests can spot cancer when it is most treatable. A test, in some
cases, can even help the development of cancer in the first place.
Talk to you health care professional about the following cancer tests:
- Breast
- Cervical
- Colon
- Rectal
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