Healthy lifestyle choices can make a real difference

Research suggests lifestyle factors, such as body weight, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet, may contribute to certain types of cancer. Since these factors are within your control, there are things you can do that may help reduce your risk.

Get regular medical care

Schedule all recommended health screenings, including mammograms for women and colon cancer screenings for older adults. Your doctor can help determine a screening schedule that makes sense for you. Talk with your doctor about self-exams, too, and pay attention to changes in your body your doctor may need to know about.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet

Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. Limit processed meats. In addition, women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts might have a reduced risk of breast cancer. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. The risk of various types of cancer — including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, kidney and liver — all increase with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you've been drinking regularly.

Don't use tobacco

Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with cancer. Smoking has been linked to various types — including cancer of the lung, mouth, throat, larynx, pancreas, bladder, cervix and kidney.

Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active

Maintaining a healthy weight might lower the risk of various types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, lung, colon and kidney. Any amount of physical activity offers some health benefits. Strive for 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity. In addition to helping you control your weight, physical activity on its own might lower the risk of certain cancers.

Protect yourself from the sun

Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer — and one of the most preventable. Try these tips: Avoid midday sun. Stay in the shade. Wear tightly woven, loose fitting clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Don't skimp on sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps.