Healthy Lifestyle Reduces Cancer Risk

Monday, May 02, 2005

ROCHESTER, Minn. — There's no doubt that cancer is scary. A woman in the United States has about a one in three chance of developing cancer. Here's a more reassuring statistic: As many as 65 percent of all cancers many be prevented by not smoking and following a healthy lifestyle.

The May issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers recommendations to help you reduce your overall cancer risk. Research suggests that there is power in numbers — meaning that the more prevention strategies you practice, the more you can reduce your overall risk of cancer.

Cancer prevention guidelines include:

- Don't smoke.

- Maintain an appropriate weight for your body size and limit adult weight gain to no more than 11 pounds.

- Engage in daily moderate and weekly vigorous exercise.

- Eat five or more servings of vegetables and fruits a day.

- Choose whole grains over processed grains.

- Limit red meat to about three ounces a day.

- Limit intake of fatty foods, particularly those of animal origin.

- Limit alcoholic drinks to one (for women) and two (for men) daily.

Erik Kaldor - Jacksonville - 904-953-2299

Lynn Closway - Scottsdale - 480-301-4337

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.

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