The 9 Best Ways to Prevent Cancer

These Tips Help You Stay Healthier, So You're More Likely to Lead a Cancer-Free Life

With so many types of cancer and so much advice available on how to prevent each type, it can all be a bit confusing. But although the abundance of cancer prevention information can be overwhelming – and sometimes contradictory – there's one way you can't go wrong when it comes to cancer prevention: follow a healthy lifestyle.

Practicing healthy habits lowers your risk of most cancers. These same habits make it less likely you'll develop heart disease, diabetes and other chronic health conditions. Although there's no way to know for sure if these habits are the key to cancer prevention, you'll be doing your body a world of good by embracing a healthier lifestyle. So although these tips may not seem like an evolutionary breakthrough to living a cancer-free life, they may help and certainly won't hurt your chances of being as healthy as you can be.

Here are 9 healthy lifestyle habits that up your chances of preventing cancer:

1. Eat healthy foods – If you mostly follow a healthy eating plan based on low-fat, low-sodium and low-carb guidelines (meaning low in added sugar and white flour), you'll be ahead of the game on all cancer prevention fronts. Fill your plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and other plant-based foods such as beans, nuts and seeds. Eat enough lean protein, healthy fat and complex carbohydrates. Limit ultra-processed foods, fried foods and foods high in saturated fat, added sugars and empty calories.
2. Exercise regularly – Being physically active is good for your health in many ways and helps you maintain a healthier weight. This helps protect you from various types of cancer, as well as heart disease and other serious health issues. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week along with some strength training exercises.
3. Limit alcohol consumption – Although the amount of alcohol you drink may not affect all types of cancer, it does raise the risk of some common types such as cancer of the lung, colon, liver and breast. The more you drink, the higher your risk, so drink in moderation, if at all.
4. Maintain a healthy weight – By following the first three tips in this list you're more likely to be at a healthy weight. All of these actions combined help minimize your risk of many types of cancer.
5. Don't smoke – This seems like a no-brainer but still needs to be said. Smoking raises your risk of lung cancer, as well as several other types of cancer. Being around second-hand smoke may also raise cancer risk, as does chewing tobacco and vaping.
6. Be sun-smart – Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and is one of the easiest to prevent. Get in the habit of using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily, even if it's cold or cloudy outside. Limit time in the sun during the middle of the day. Also, don't use tanning beds or sun lamps.
7. Get vaccinated – Some cancers may develop from viral infections, such as HPV, HIV or hepatitis. There are vaccinations against some of these viruses, such as HPV and hepatitis B.
8. Get routine check-ups and screenings – The best way to treat cancer is to find it early so stay up-to-date on preventative appointments and recommended screenings, such as mammograms, colonoscopies and other tests.
9. Pay attention to your body – You know your body best so if something doesn't look or feel right, trust your gut and get it checked out by a medical professional.

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Date Last Reviewed: December 19, 2024

Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor

Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD

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