1. Quit Smoking

Smoking damages almost every organ in the Human body and is responsible for about 30% of all cancers. It is a major cause of cancers of the lung, larynx, oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, and bladder, and it contributes to the development of cancers of the pancreas, cervix, kidney, stomach, and also some leukemias.

The best form of prevention regarding tobacco-related cancers is to quit. Quitting smoking not only reduces the risk of developing certain cancers, but it also reduces the risk for heart disease, prevalence of bronchitis and pneumonia, and increases overall health.

Visit whyquit.com for tips on how to quit and online support groups.

2. Practice Sun Safety

UV rays from the sun cause the majority of skin cancers, including melanoma. Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Risk factors include:

• unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
• fair complexion
• occupational exposures to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, or radium
• family history
• multiple or atypical moles
• severe sunburns as a child

Tips to be safe in the sun are:

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Seek shade: Look for shade, especially in the middle of the day when the sun's rays are strongest.
• Slip on a shirt: Cover up with protective clothing to guard as much skin as possible when you are out in the sun.
• Slop on sunscreen: Use sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen (about a palmful) and reapply after swimming, toweling dry, or perspiring. Use sunscreen even on hazy or overcast days.
• Slap on a hat: Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat, shading your face, ears, and neck.
• Wrap on sunglasses: Wear sunglasses with 99% to 100% UV absorption to provide optimal protection for the eyes and the surrounding skin.
• Follow these practices to protect your skin even on cloudy or overcast days. UV rays travel through clouds.
• Avoid other sources of UV light. Tanning beds and sun lamps are dangerous because they can damage your skin.

Visit the Skin Cancer Foundation for more information

4. Exercise!

• Balance physical activity with caloric intake
• Adults should be moderately to vigorously physically active for at least 30 minutes at least 5 days of the week. 45-60 minutes of intentional physical activity is preferable
• Children should maintain at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 6 days of the week.

*A healthy weight can be obtained and maintained through diet and exercise!

Visit The Cancer Project for more information

5. Be aware of your body

Make sure to visit your doctor for monthly and yearly check-ups and exams. If you find something which concerns you, visit your doctor. Also practice self examination such as with breast and testicular examinations. The sooner cancer is detected, the better the chance for survival.

Send a loved one a cancer IQ Knowledge Report from canceriq.org to spread the knowledge of cancer prevention

Test your cancer prevention knowledge with this quiz!

Sources:

American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/

The Skin Cancer Foundation: http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/year-round-sun-protection.html?gclid=CK-E1ffW2pICFQ-AHgod71gSjg

WhyQuit.com: http://whyquit.com/

The Cancer Project: http://www.cancerproject.org/protective_foods/facts/healthiest_diet.php

Cancer IQ: http://www.canceriq.org/lifestyle.html