Cancer Awareness

According to the Centers for Disease Control 2001 US Mortality Data, cancer is the second largest cause of death in the United States. Cancer affects women, men and children with varying degrees. However, the most prominent types of cancer are lung, breast, prostate, colon and rectal.

Most cancers can be prevented or treated with increased awareness and early detection.
Good nutrition and a healthy body weight greatly reduce the risk of cancer. You should strive to eat fruits and vegetables (5 to 9 servings daily), fish and high-fiber foods, while reducing fat, sodium, sugar and calories. Continued exercise will keep your weight balanced and 30 minutes of physical activity each day should be your goal.

If you have a family history of cancer, are overweight or have other health conditions, you should also discuss your risk of cancer with your physician. As part of your cancer prevention plan, ask your doctor about preventive cancer screenings based on your age, sex and race.

For more information on cancer prevention and treatment, choose from the options below. To learn more about cancer resources, choose from the items under Additional Resources, on the right.