About 30 to 40 percent of those deaths due to cancer could be prevented, and one-third of the cancer cases can be cured with early detection and treatment, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Over 12 million individuals in the United States are diagnosed with some form of cancer causing more than 7 million deaths, according to an ACS press release. Although cancer is unpredictable, there are several proactive steps everyone can take to either reduce their cancer risk and improve their chances to overcome the disease.
Get cancer screenings regularly. Early detection is the key to finding cancers when they are small and have not had a chance to spread. In the case of colon or cervical cancers, regular testing can prevent them from developing. Have a conversation with your doctor about tests for lung, prostate, breast, colon and cervical cancers.
Reach and maintain a healthy weight. Being obese or overweight are risk factors for most of the known cancers including kidney, pancreatic and endometrium. Weight control can be achieved through healthy eating and regular exercise.
Get regular exercise. A regular physical activity routine has been proven to decrease the risk of many types of cancer, including prostate, breast, endometrium and colon cancer. It is also effective against serious diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Ideally, adults should get a minimum of 150 minutes moderate to intense activity each week.
Eat a balanced and healthy diet. Eating fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains and poultry is connected to a reduced risk of developing some cancer. Alternately, consuming more red and processed meat is linked to an increased danger of developing certain types of cancer.
5. Drink alcohol moderately. Several studies indicate that alcohol can potentially increase your risk for cancer such as throat, voice box, liver, rectal and liver cancer.
6. Stay away from tobacco. In the U.S. tobacco use is responsible for almost 1 in 5 deaths a year. Nearly 480,000 people die each year prematurely because of tobacco, according to the press release. About 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 80 percent of lung cancer deaths are caused by using tobacco.
