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What Can I Do to Prevent Cancer?
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Your overall health and cancer risk are very much affected by how you eat as well as health-related behaviors. Current research published by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Foundation of the UK has been translated into recommendations for the public for the prevention of cancer.
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Cancer Prevention Recommendations
 Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight. Learn your Body Mass Index (BMI) and aim to keep your weight at the lower range.
Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day. Start small, and consider moderate activity as walking, gardening, dancing and swimming- those activities that get your heart beating faster. For maximum health benefits, scientists recommend that we aim for 60 minutes or more of moderate activity every day, or 30 minutes or more of vigorous activity (the kind that makes you sweat and get out of breath).
Avoid sugary drinks. Remember that every can of soda contains 10 teaspoons of sugar (at 16 calories each!). Limit consumption of energy-dense (high calorie) foods-particularly processed snack foods high in added sugar or fat, or low in fiber). Processed snack foods include crackers made with white flour, cookies, chips and bars made with added sugar and fat to improve taste.
Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes such as beans. Make your plate colorful with fruits and vegetables in season.
Limit consumption of red meats (beef, pork and lamb), and avoid processed meats. Processed meats are those that are cured, smoked or salted or preserved with nitrate/nitrite. Processed meats include bacon, sausage, ham, hotdogs and luncheon meats.
If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women daily.
Limit consumption of salty foods processed with salt (sodium). This includes snack foods, salted meats, canned foods and luncheon meats.
Don't use supplements to protect against cancer.
Special Population Recommendations
It is best for mothers to breastfeed exclusively for up to 6 months and then add other liquids and foods.
After treatment, cancer survivors should follow the above recommendations for cancer prevention.
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