12 ways to reduce cancer risks[1]
#1 Do not smoke. Do not use any form of tobacco.
#2 Make your home smoke free. Support smoke-free policies in your workplace.
#3 Take action to be a healthy body weight.
#4 Be physically active in everyday life. Limit the time you spend sitting.
#5 Have a healthy diet:
- Eat plenty of whole grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits.
- Limit high-calorie foods (foods high in sugar or fat) and avoid sugary drinks.
- Avoid processed meat; limit red meat and foods high in salt.
#6 If you drink alcohol of any type, limit your intake. Not drinking alcohol is better for cancer prevention.
#7 Avoid too much sun, especially for children. Use sun protection. Do not use sunbeds.
#8 In the workplace, protect yourself against cancer-causing substances by following health and safety instructions.
#9 Find out if you are exposed to radiation from naturally high radon levels in your home.
Take action to reduce high radon levels.
#10 For women:
- Breastfeeding reduces the mother’s cancer risk. If you can, breastfeed your baby.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the risk of certain cancers. Limit use of HRT.
#11 Ensure your children take part in vaccination programs for:
- Hepatitis B (for newborns)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) (for girls).
#12 Take part in organized cancer screening programs for:
- Bowel cancer (men and women)
- Breast cancer (women)
- Cervical cancer (women).
[1] https://cancer-code-europe.iarc.fr/index.php/en/
