New Year's Cancer Prevention Tips

Healthy habits go a long way in reducing the risk of developing some cancers, experts say. So this New Year, commit yourself to a few lifestyle changes.

If you smoke or chew tobacco, get support and quit- Tobacco causes 87% of lung cancer deaths and 30% of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

To get help kicking the habit, visit the ACS website or call 1-800-ACS-2345. For group and individual smoking cessation and relapse prevention counseling in the Houston area, contact M. D. Anderson's Tobacco Cessation Clinic (713) 745-8040 or 1-800-438-6434.

Eat five fruits and vegetables a day- These foods provide a powerhouse of cancer prevention chemicals and fiber.

Get regular exercise- Researchers have found that about 30 minutes of exercise three to four times per week may help decrease your risk of several types of cancer, including colorectal, breast and prostate cancers.

Limit sun exposure- More than 1 million cases of skin cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 2004, according to the ACS. Protect yourself and your children. Severe sunburns before the age of 18 are linked to a greatly increased lifetime risk of skin cancer.

• Avoid the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Wear sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater), a hat and protective clothing in the sun

Get regular cancer screening tests- These examinations allow cancer to be detected at its earliest, most treatable stages.

Skin cancer

• Regular self-examination of moles beginning at age 18
• Yearly clinical skin exams

Breast cancer

• Look for and report any changes in the breasts
• Clinical breast exams every one to three years from age 29 to 39
• Annual mammograms and clinical breast exams beginning at 40 or earlier and more frequently for women who may be at increased risk (women with a family history of breast cancer)

Cervical cancer

• Annual pap test and pelvic exam beginning at age 18 or when sexual activity begins

Colorectal cancer

People with a strong family history or other risk for colorectal cancer should talk to their doctors about their screening schedule. For the general population, it is recommended that people have the following screening tests done beginning at age 50:

• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) - annually
• Double contrast barium enema - every five years
• Flexible signoidoscopy (partial view of the colon and rectum) - every five years, preferably combined with annual FOBT
• Colonoscopy (full view of the colon and rectum) - every 10 years

Prostate cancer

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam - annually beginning at age 50 or at 45 for men at increased risk (African-American men, men with a family history)

Testicular cancer

• Monthly self-exam of testicles