February is Cancer Awareness Month

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, about a third of the most common cancers in the U.S. could be prevented by eating more healthily, being active and staying
lean. That’s an estimated 374,000 cases of cancer in the United States that would never happen.

In the United States, men have nearly a one in two lifetime risk of developing cancer; for women, the risk is closer to one in three.  Lifestyle decisions that can help reduce that risk include quitting tobacco, eating better, exercising regularly, using sun protection and undergoing recommended screenings. 

Here are some additional suggestions:

• Keep a healthy weight. Limit foods with added sugars and fats that provide a lot of calories but few nutrients.
• Eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables and make at least half your grains whole grains.
• Limit your meat portions. Choose a variety of protein foods, including seafood, poultry, lean meat, legumes, eggs and nuts.
• Limit alcohol. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to no more than one drink daily for women and two for men.
• Consume less sodium. Read food labels to learn exactly how much sodium is in a product.

To learn more about diet and cancer prevention, visit aicr.org or cancer.org.