8 Ways to Cancer-Proof Your Life

Lace Up Those Sneakers

Breaking a sweat can go a long way toward cancer prevention. Shoot hoops with the kids, ride your bike to work or do laps at the pool. All that movement keeps your weight in check, strengthens your immune system and regulates your metabolism.

Researchers have found clear links between exercise and both colon cancer and breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, exercise can drop women's breast cancer risk by anywhere from 20 to 80 percent. And both men and women can drop their risk of colon cancer by 30 to 40 percent if they get off the couch and start moving.

To reduce your cancer risk, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderately intense activity or 75 minutes of vigorously intense activity each week, says the ACS.

Get rewarded for health behavior with Walgreens Balance Rewards for healthy choices^®, a free program to help you stay active.

Reviewed by Elaine Brown, MD on September 11, 2013

Sources

Dr. Cary Presant, oncologist and professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California; past president of the American Cancer Society

American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/geneticsandcancer/heredity-and-cancer

Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/prevention.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/hpv-gardasil.html

National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health: https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/physicalactivity

https://www.wcrf.org/cancer_statistics/preventability_estimates/preventability_estimates_food.php

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/detailedguide/colorectal-cancer-key-statistics

https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/physicalactivity

https://www.cancer.org/healthy/eathealthygetactive/acsguidelinesonnutritionphysicalactivityforcancerprevention/acs-guidelines-on-nutrition-and-physical-activity-for-cancer-prevention-summary

https://www.wcrf.org/cancer_statistics/preventability_estimates/preventability_estimates_body_fatness.php

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/dietandphysicalactivity/bodyweightandcancerrisk/body-weight-and-cancer-risk-effects

https://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036845.pdf

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcohol/SC00024