If you’re worried about cancer prevention, these tips about lifestyle choices can help lower your risk.

Cancer Prevention Tips

It can often feel like we have no control over whether or not we will get cancer. But research shows that there are certain lifestyle choices that can lower our risk for certain cancers. The World Cancer Research Fund estimates that lifestyle choices relate to at least 18 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. These include:

• Being overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Alcohol consumption
• Poor nutrition

Important decisions you can make today to lower your cancer risk include:

• Eat a healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid or limit the consumption of alcohol
• Stop using tobacco
• Practice sun safety
• Stay active and exercise
• Keep up with recommended health screenings for your age and gender

Watch this video to learn more about ways to lower your risk for cancer.

Smoking Cessation Program

The University of Tennessee Medical Center offers a free program to help you stop smoking. In this program, you’ll start with an initial one-on-one counseling session with a respiratory therapist. During that session, you’ll receive step-by-step information on creating a personalized quit plan. You’ll also discuss nicotine replacement options and have a free lung function test. Learn more about our Smoking Cessation Program.

Weight Loss Services

The University Bariatric Center offers weight loss programs that are tailored to your needs. They include:

• Medical weight loss
• Clinical trials
• Weight-loss surgery

Learn more about University Bariatric Center.