Reducing the risk of developing cancer involves adopting a healthy lifestyle and making certain preventive choices. While it's not possible to completely eliminate the risk of cancer, there are steps you can take to lower your overall risk. Here are some strategies that can help reduce the risk of cancer:
Don't Smoke: Smoking is a major risk factor for several types of cancer, including lung, mouth, throat, esophageal, bladder, and kidney cancers. If you smoke, quitting is the best decision you can make for your overall health and cancer risk reduction.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of various cancers, such as breast, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, and kidney cancers. Adopting a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and engaging in regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce cancer risk.
Eat a Healthy Diet: Choose a diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. These foods contain various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help protect against cancer. Limit consumption of processed and red meats, as they have been linked to an increased risk of colorectal and other cancers.
Be Physically Active: Engage in regular physical activity to reduce the risk of cancer. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise each week, along with strength training exercises at least twice a week.