(HealthDayNews) -- Make no mistake. There's no sure-fire way to prevent cancer.
But you can make small lifestyle changes that might reduce your risk, the Mayo Clinic says. Heed these suggestions:
- Don't use tobacco. And even if you don't smoke, reduce your exposure to secondhand smoke. Each year, about 3,000 nonsmokers die of lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke.
- Eat a variety of healthy foods. Research suggests that about 30 percent of cancers are related to issues of nutrition, including obesity. The American Cancer Society recommends that you eat an abundance of foods from plant-based sources, limit fat, and drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
- Stay active and maintain a healthy weight. Obesity may be a risk factor for cancers of the prostate, colon, rectum, uterus, ovaries and breast. Try to be physically active for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week.
- Protect yourself from the sun. Skin cancer is among the most preventable forms of the disease. Avoid direct sunlight during the peak radiation hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Also, don't skimp on sunscreen and don't use indoor tanning beds or sunlamps.
- Get screened. Screening should include your skin, mouth, colon and rectum. If you're a man, it should also include your prostate and testes. If you're a woman, add cervix and breast cancer screening to the list.
