- HPV, or human papillomavirus, attacks skin and cells lining body cavities. HPV is sexually transmitted, and up to 80 percent of people will be infected in their lifetime. Since 2008, girls 12 or 13 years of age can be vaccinated against the two types of HPV that are responsible for seven out of 10 cervical cancers.
- Limit your intake of alcohol. Light consumption of red wine may cut your chances of heart problems. But there are researchers who say that any alcohol is bad for the human body, causing cancers such as liver, mouth, esophagus, breast, colorectal and throat. Daily consumption of more than 50 grams of alcohol increases cancer risks two to three times.
- Protect your skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. Ultraviolet, or UV, rays appear to be the most important environmental factor. Staying out of the mid-day sun is key but if you work outside, make sure you use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. The higher the number, the more protection you will have. UV rays are greatest in late spring and early summer in North America. So keep that in mind when gardening or spending time outside. And for gosh sakes, avoid tanning beds, those UV rays are just as damaging as the sun’s rays.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Doctors say to keep your weight down, as in avoid obesity, Fourteen percent of cancer deaths are weight related. Excess weight has been linked to gallbladder, endometrial, breast, esophageal, lung, colon, pancreatic and kidney cancers.
- Eat healthy. Your dinner plate should be two-thirds colorful or deep green vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, and kale. Lean meats, fish, poultry or low-fat dairy can comprise the other third. People whose diets consist mostly of foods that come from plants tend to have a lower incidence of cancers. These include fruits, veggies, beans and whole grains. And don’t drink. If you do, limit yourself to one drink a day if you are a woman and two drinks a day if you are a man.