The article highlights 7 simple habits that can lower cancer risk:
- Quit tobacco — Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer and damages nearly every organ.
- Eat more plants — Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other fiber-rich foods; avoid processed meat and limit red meat.
- Exercise and maintain a healthy weight — Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
- Protect your skin — Use SPF 30+, seek shade, and avoid tanning beds.
- Drink less alcohol — Alcohol can damage DNA and increase the risk of several cancers.
- Get recommended vaccines — HPV and hepatitis B vaccines can help prevent cancers linked to these infections.
- Keep up with screenings — Tests such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and Pap tests can detect cancer or precancerous changes early.
Bottom line: Small, consistent lifestyle choices—especially avoiding tobacco, eating well, staying active, limiting alcohol, protecting your skin, getting vaccinated, and following screening recommendations—can substantially reduce cancer risk.
