5 Lifestyle Habits That Help Prevent Cancer

Many people worry about their cancer risk, especially as they get older. While no cancer is fully preventable, you can lower your risk for some of the most common and deadly cancer types by aligning with a healthy lifestyle. 

Our team of top-ranked oncologists at Arizona Center for Cancer Care encourages you to talk to your primary care doctor about your cancer risks and get screenings accordingly. No matter your risk level, our experts can help you make easy lifestyle adjustments to minimize your chances of a future cancer diagnosis. 

Simply visit Arizona Center for Cancer Care in Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Anthem, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Wickenburg, Apache Junction, Sun City, Sun City West, Goodyear, or Tempe, Arizona, for expert cancer prevention tips. 

To start, we’ve compiled five simple lifestyle habits you can adopt to lower your cancer risk. 

1. Use sun protection

Sun protection is a must when it comes to preventing skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer. There are several ways to ensure your skin acquires as little damage as possible from ultraviolet (UV) light, which can damage skin cell DNA to cause cancer:

Wear sunscreen

A broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 can shield your skin from harmful sun rays, even when it’s cloudy. You should reapply your sunscreen every two hours while spending time outdoors. 

Wear full-coverage clothing

For another layer of sun protection, wear clothing that covers most of your skin. A wide-brimmed hat can shade your face and eyes too. 

Never use tanning beds

Tanning beds use UV light to tan your skin just like the sun. They can harm your skin as much as direct sunlight, so it’s best to avoid them altogether. 

2. Eat healthy

Healthy eating goes a long way in extending your life and can help lower your overall cancer risk. Here are a few dietary modifications you can make to mitigate your cancer risk:

• Eat less red meat
• Eat fewer processed meats
• Center whole grains, fruits, and veggies
• Limit sugar

If you drink alcohol at all, do it in moderation. Alcohol can increase your risk for many cancers including breast cancer, liver cancer, and kidney cancer. 

3. Exercise frequently

Regular exercise helps you stay at a healthy weight by burning calories, which is important because obesity is a risk factor for multiple cancer types. Even if exercise doesn’t help you lose weight, the act of exercising regularly alone can reduce your risk for breast cancer, reproductive cancers, and colon cancer among others. 

While any amount of physical activity is good for your health, try to aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 weekly minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, like running or swimming. 

4. Avoid tobacco products and smoking

Smoking, including secondhand smoke, is well known to be a leading cause of lung cancer. However, smoking and tobacco use are linked to many other cancers too. Using tobacco in any form can increase your risk of mouth cancer, throat cancer, and pancreatic cancer. 

If you struggle to stop smoking or using tobacco, talk to your primary care provider about products and tips to help you kick the habit. 

5. Practice safe sex

Sexual contact can spread sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomavirus (HPV), which are both linked to increased cancer risks. 

HIV can increase your risk for cancer of the anus, lung, and liver. HPV is best known for increasing your cervical cancer risk but can also increase your risk for anal cancer, penile cancer, throat cancer, and vulvar cancer. 

Talk to an oncologist

Healthy habits are vital steps for preserving your health and lowering your cancer risk. For information on cancer screenings and prevention, call Arizona Center for Cancer Care or request an appointment online at the nearest office.