Preventing cancer

Protect yourself before cancer occurs

You can reduce your risk of cancer in several ways:

• Don’t use tobacco.

• Eat a healthy diet.

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• Be physically active.

• Protect yourself from the sun.

• Get regular medical care, including colonoscopies and HPV vaccinations.

Don’t use tobacco

• Tobacco use accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths, causing 87 percent of lung cancer deaths in men and 70 percent of lung cancer deaths in women, according to American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2014.

• Quit using tobacco.

  • We’ve got the resources and information that can help you or your loved ones quit today.

Be physically active and eat nutritious meals to maintain a healthy weight

• An estimated 1 out of 3 cancer deaths in the United States is linked to excess body weight, poor nutrition and/or physical inactivity, according to the American Cancer Society.

• HEAL and obesity.

  • For more information on adding more activity to your day, or eating more wholesome foods, check out LiveWell Colorado.

Protect yourself in the sun

• Sun Safe Colorado: Learn more about protecting yourself and your family from excessive sun exposure.

• SunWise: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's advice on sun safety for kids and educators.

• UV Index: Provides a forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. Find out today’s UV index and how you can protect yourself.

Check your home for radon

• You can’t see, smell or taste radon, a deadly cancer-causing gas. Testing your home for radon can reduce your exposure to this gas. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about radon and how to test your home.

• Learn more about radon in Colorado at www.ColoradoRadon.info.

• The EPA offers additional information about radon and testing your home.

• For more information watch the Radon Awareness Video.

Next, find out about cancer screening and early detection.