Cancer has become a global epidemic, with millions of people diagnosed with this deadly disease every year. While we cannot control all the risk factors for cancer, there are certainly some things we can do to reduce our risk by half.

In this article, we will take a closer look at seven strategies that can help lower your risk of cancer.

Eat a Healthy Diet

What you eat plays a significant role in your overall health, including your risk of cancer. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are high in antioxidants, which can help prevent cancer.

In contrast, processed foods, sugary drinks, and red and processed meats may increase your risk of cancer. Aim to add more plant-based foods to your diet and limit your intake of processed foods and meats.

Get Regular Exercise

Exercise has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of cancer. Physical activity can help improve your immune system, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy cell growth.

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as walking, cycling, or swimming.

Avoid Tobacco Products

Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of cancer, with smoking being linked to lung cancer, throat cancer, and other types of cancer. Even secondhand smoke can increase your risk of cancer.

If you smoke or use tobacco products, it’s essential to quit as soon as possible. Seek help from your healthcare provider or a smoking cessation program if necessary.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of cancer, including breast, colon, and ovarian cancers. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help reduce your risk. Aim for a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

While moderate alcohol intake may have some health benefits, excessive drinking can increase your risk of cancer. Alcohol has been linked to an increased risk of mouth, throat, liver, and breast cancers.

If you choose to drink, limit your alcohol consumption to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Protect Your Skin

Excessive sun exposure can lead to skin damage and increase your risk of skin cancer. Make sure to wear protective clothing, such as hats and long-sleeved shirts, and apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 when spending time outdoors.

Avoid tanning beds, which can also increase your risk of skin cancer.

Get Regular Screenings

Regular cancer screenings can help detect cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Talk to your healthcare provider about what screenings are recommended for your age and gender.

Some common cancer screenings include mammograms for breast cancer, pap smears for cervical cancer, and colonoscopies for colon cancer.

Conclusion

Lowering your risk of cancer can be simple with these seven strategies.

Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco products, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, protecting your skin, and getting regular screenings can all help reduce your risk of cancer by half. By making these changes, you can take control of your health and lower your risk of this deadly disease.