• All cancers caused by cigarette smoking and heavy use of alcohol could be prevented completely. The ACS estimates that in 2004, more than 180,000 cancer deaths are expected to be caused by tobacco use.
• Scientific evidence suggests that about 1/3 of the 563,700 cancer deaths expected to occur in 2004 will be related to nutrition, physical inactivity, overweight or obesity, and other lifestyle factors, and thus could be prevented.

Recommendations:

• Eat a variety of healthful foods, with an emphasis on plant sources (eat 5 or more servings of vegetables and fruits each day; choose whole grains instead of processed grains and sugar; limit red meat consumption)
• Adopt a physically active lifestyle (at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on 5 or more days per week; 45 minutes or more of vigorous activity on 5 or more days per week may further reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer).
• Maintain a healthful weight throughout life (lose weight if currently overweight or obese).
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, limit consumption (no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women).
• Many of the more than 1 million skin cancers that are expected to be diagnosed in 2004 could have been prevented by protection from the sun’s rays. In particular, limit or avoid exposure to the sun during midday hours ( 10am-4pm); wear sunglasses, and use a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher.

Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2004, American Cancer Society