National Cancer Awareness Month

February is National Cancer Awareness month. While there is no certain way to prevent cancer, you can certainly take steps to lower your risk of getting it.  At least 42% of newly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. are potentially preventable, according to current research. We can avoid a lot of cancer cases, but we can’t stop them all from happening. Click here to learn more.

It is important to know your family history because 5-10% of all cancer diagnosis are inherited. Knowing your family’s history and discussing it with your healthcare provider, will determine when to start cancer screening. Early detection can make all the difference.

Other important factors that are known to increase cancer are: cigarette smoking and tobacco use, infections, radiation, and immunosuppressive medicine. While you don’t have much control over some of those, cutting out tobacco is something that can be done.

Other factors that may affect your risk of cancer are: diet, alcohol, physical activity, obesity, and environmental risk factors. All of which, are things within our control to help prevent.

To learn more about cancer prevention click here.