Everyone can reduce their risk of developing cancer through healthy lifestyle choices and healthful behaviors

1. Understand and make use of recommendations for cancer screening and/or surveillance.
2. Tobacco use is single most significant threat to good health and current tobacco uses are advised to quit. For advice on quitting and the use of medications such as nicotine replacement and/or bupropion, which can help to double rates of successful quitting, talk to your doctor and/or contact the NYS Smokers' Quit Line at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). Avoid exposures to second hand smoke.
3. It is important to include at least five (5) servings of fruits & vegetables in your daily diet as recommended by the National Cancer Institute (also see new government website, http://www.5aday.gov. Use of a daily coated baby aspirin tablet can risk the risk of several cancers. Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the use of vitamin supplements for the prevention of cancer; certain supplements such as beta-carotene may actually cause harm in some groups. A coated baby aspirin tablet daily can reduce the risk of several cancers.
4. Exercise offers many health benefits. Gradually increase both the duration and number of days per week you exercise so that you are active for 20-30 minutes on most days.
5. Recent studies have suggested a link between several difference types of cancer (as well as other chronic diseases) and excess body weight. Healthy eating and physical activity habits can contribute to efforts to maintain a healthy body weight.
6. Persons with a family history of multiple individuals diagnosed with cancer and/or cancers diagnosed at an early age should discuss this information with their physician and/or a clinical cancer genetics specialist.
7. Consider participating in cancer prevention studies that are open to healthy persons from the community. Call 1-877-ASKRPCI (1-877-275-7724) to learn more about these opportunities.

Tips to reducing your risk of developing cancer

• be certain you are up to date on recommended cancer screening tests
• don’t use tobacco, if you use any form of tobacco – quit now!
• eat a well-balanced diet including at least 5 servings of fruits & vegetables daily (http://www.5aday.gov )
• get regular exercise
• watch your weight
• consider participating in cancer prevention studies