Cancer prevention: 4 tips to reduce your risk

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Cancer prevention: 4 tips to reduce your risk
1. Protect yourself from the sun

Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer - and one of the most preventable. Try these tips:

Avoid midday sun. Stay out of direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.

Stay in the shade. When you're outdoors, stay in the shade as much as possible. Sunglasses and a broad-rimmed hat help, too.

Cover exposed areas. Wear tightly woven, loosefitting clothing that covers as much of the epidermis as possible. Opt for bright or dark colors, which reflect more ultraviolet radiation than pastels or bleached cotton.

Don't skimp on sunscreen. Use generous amounts of sunscreen when you're outdoors, and reapply often.

Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. These are just as damaging as natural sunlight.

2. Get immunized

Cancer prevention includes protection from certain viral infections. Talk to your doctor about immunization against:

Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can increase the risk of developing liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is routinely given to infants. It's also recommended for certain high-risk adults - such as adults who are sexually active but not in a mutually monogamous relationship, men that have intercourse with men, and health care or public safety workers who might be exposed to infected blood or body fluids.

Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is available to both men and women age 26 or younger who didn't have the vaccine as an adolescent.

3. Eat a healthy diet

Although making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime can't guarantee cancer prevention, it may help reduce your risk. Consider these guidelines:

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Base your diet on fruits, other and vegetables foods from plant sources - such as whole grains and beans.

Limit fat. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-fat foods, particularly those from animal sources. High-fat diets tend to be higher in calories and may increase the risk of overweight or obesity - which can, in turn, increase cancer risk.

If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. The risk of various types of cancer - including cancer of the colon, kidney, lung, breast and liver - increases with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you've been drinking regularly.

4. Take early detection seriously

Regular self-exams and professional screening for various types of cancers - such as cancer of the colon, cervix, prostate, skin and breast - can increase your chances of discovering cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful. Ask your doctor about the best cancer screening schedule for you.

Take cancer prevention into your own hands, starting today. The rewards will last a lifetime.