February is observed as National Cancer Prevention Month. This month aims to raise awareness about cancer prevention and encourage individuals to take proactive steps to educate and reduce their risks when it comes to cancer.
Nearly 1.9 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. Unfortunately, there is nothing that we can do about hereditary risks that are not controllable, but there are steps that you can take to better your odds. By attending annual doctor appointments and talking to your doctor about your risk factors, you can learn more about the preventative steps that you would need to take in order to help avoid a cancer diagnosis.
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 40 percent of all cancer diagnoses can be linked to a preventable cause .While we can’t stop all forms of cancer, we can use the tools available to decrease all of the risk factors. The top five recommendations for lessening your risk of cancer include:Â
- Exercising regularly.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Eating healthy food.
- Quitting/never starting smoking.
- Limiting the consumption of alcohol. Â
Other factors that can help with the prevention of cancer include regular checkups and staying up to date with treating/preventing other health conditions.
Not only can you take control of your health during National Cancer Prevention Month, but you can also spread the word about the cause. By using the hashtag #CancerPreventionMonth, you can join the conversation and spread the word on social media. To learn more about this month and the action that you can take for cancer prevention, please visit the UPMC website here.