Healthy Lifestyles Reduce Cancer Risk

(NewsUSA) - Cancer and its treatment can sometimes generate other health problems in survivors, including the risk of secondary cancers. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) both recommend that cancer survivors lead healthy lifestyles to reduce their risk. In addition to cancer survivors, now is a good time for all people to incorporate healthy habits into their lives.

The National Children's Cancer Society, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and their families, offers these tips for a healthy lifestyle:

- Don't smoke. Avoid using any tobacco product. Tobacco use, especially smoking, is the largest cause of preventable death in the United States. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, quit. Also, avoid secondhand smoke. Nonsmokers who live with smokers are 30 to 50 percent more likely to develop lung cancer.

- Eat right. The National Cancer Institute has found that 35 percent of adult cancers are linked to diet, so eating your fruits and vegetables can make a big difference in your long-term health. You should eat five or more servings of fresh produce every day, especially dark green, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables.

The ACS and the NCI also recommend eating fish three times a week, reducing salt and fat, choosing low-fat dairy products and eating very little cheese, choosing beans over red meat and cooking food in olive or canola oil instead of butter.

Adequate fiber intake also helps reduce cancer risk. Men ages 50 and under should eat 38 grams of fiber a day. Women in the same age range should eat 25 grams. If you eat the recommended amounts of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, you should be getting enough fiber. If not, increase fiber slowly and drink plenty of water. Try switching white bread for whole grains and replace red meat with beans. Taking a fiber supplement does not have the same health benefits as eating fiber-rich foods.

- Exercise. Studies show that regular exercise reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and maybe breast cancer. Follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines and aim for 60 minutes of moderate activity almost every day.

For more information, or to learn how to help children with cancer and their families, visit www.nationalchildrenscancersociety.org.

"Article By: NewsUSA"