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February is National Cancer Prevention Month

Did you know that many choices you make every day can lower your risk for several types of cancer? Research shows that up to 50% of cancer cases and about 50% of cancer deaths are preventable with the knowledge we have today.

Here are eight ways to reduce your cancer risk or detect cancer early, when successful treatment is more likely:

  • Know Your Family Medical History and Get Recommended Cancer Screenings: Share your family history with your health care provider and discuss cancer screenings.
  • Do Not Use Tobacco: Tobacco use (including cigarettes, cigars, hookah, chewing tobacco and more) has been linked to many types of cancer, including lung, colorectal, breast, throat, cervical, bladder, mouth and esophageal cancers.
  • Protect Your Skin From the Sun: Skin cancer is the most common and the most preventable cancer diagnosis in the U. S. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation causes most skin cancers.
  • Eat a Plant-Based Diet: Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains, limit red meat and foods high in salt and cut out processed meats.
  • Limit Alcohol: Drinking alcohol is linked to several cancers, including breast, colorectal, esophageal, oral and liver cancers.
  • Maintain A Healthy Weight and Be Physically Active: Physical activity is linked to a lower risk of colorectal, breast and endometrial cancers, and there is some evidence that also links it to reducing the risk of other cancers.
  • Practice Safer Sex and Avoid Risky Behaviors: Certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer, oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils) and at least four other types of cancer.
  • Get Vaccinated Against HPV and Hepatitis B: Getting vaccinated can protect you from certain viruses that are linked to certain cancers.

Most people don’t experience signs or symptoms of cancer until it’s in advanced stages. However, you don’t need to wait for symptoms to check your health through cancer screening tests. With routine screening, you can detect cancer early (before signs or symptoms appear) which is critical, because Early Detection = Better Outcomes. Early detection of cancer can mean less extensive treatment, more treatment options and better chances of survival.

This information will help you and your health care provider decide which cancer screenings you need, when to begin screening and how often you should be screened.

Take charge of your health and discover the benefits of cancer prevention and early detection.
Download “A Guide to Preventing Cancer” today.

For more information on cancer prevention tips, read here. 

Useful Links:

  1. Cancer Screening | Aetna Better Health of Michigan
  2. Catch Colon Cancer Early with Screenings - Connect Community - BCBSIL
  3. Simple-Steps-You-Can-Take-to-Help-Prevent-Cancer - HealthLink
  4. Prevention and Healthy Living | Cancer.Net
  5. Avoiding-Oral-Cancer.pdf (deltadentalil.com)
  6. Don’t Give Cancer a Chance - HealthLink
  7. Preventive_Services_il.pdf (bcbsil.com)