Adopting a healthier lifestyle can be a powerful way to reduce cancer risk. While genetics can play a role, up to half of all cancer cases are linked to behavioral risk factors, making prevention possible. Experts recommend four research-backed strategies to help lower your risk of cancer.
Stay on Top of Preventive Screenings
Missing cancer screenings is a common issue, often due to procrastination. For instance, colon cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death among Black Americans, largely because many skip recommended screenings. Dr. Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, conducted a study that revealed, “Self-reported procrastination” as the main reason for missed screenings, driven by “financial concerns, COVID-19 concerns and fear of both the test and bowel preparation.”
Dr. Adjoa emphasizes, “The key takeaway from this study is that all providers should discuss colorectal cancer screening at regular intervals with all of their patients, because early detection through screening saves lives.”
People should begin screening at age 45, and those with a family history of cancer may need to start even earlier.
Guidelines for screenings for other cancers are available on the American Cancer Society website. Early detection remains one of the most effective ways to prevent or manage cancer, making it essential to stay informed.
Improve Your Sleep Health
Sleep quality can significantly impact cancer risk. Research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital found a connection between insomnia and ovarian cancer. Dr. Heming Wang, who led the study, explains, “Insomnia is a common sleep disorder among ovarian cancer patients,” adding, “Our research revealed that insomnia increases the risk of a specific subtype of ovarian cancer and is associated with reduced survival in patients.”
Addressing insomnia could play a role in preventing ovarian cancer and improving survival rates. Quality sleep is crucial, so it’s important to seek help for sleep disorders.
Understand the Risks and Benefits of Daily Aspirin Use
Regular aspirin use can lower the risk of colorectal cancer, but it’s not without potential drawbacks. Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital examined the link between aspirin and colon cancer. Dr. Daniel Sikavi and Dr. Andrew Chan found, “Our results suggested that people with a less healthy lifestyle — higher body mass index, more smoking, greater alcohol use, less physical activity and poorer diet quality — had a greater absolute benefit from aspirin use in reducing their risk of colorectal cancer.”
While those with healthier lifestyles had a lower overall risk of colon cancer, aspirin didn’t show the same benefits for them. Dr. Sikavi notes, “This work is an important example of a more personalized approach to cancer prevention by targeting effective prevention strategies to populations that are the most likely to benefit.” Discuss daily aspirin use with your doctor to understand if it’s right for you.
Cut Down on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been linked to increased cancer risks. Research by the American Cancer Society showed that drinking two or more SSBs daily could raise the risk of death from obesity-related cancers by 5%. Dr. Longgang Zhao, who led related research, highlights, “Despite their sweet taste, sugary drinks pose significant health risks.”
Further studies have linked SSBs to liver cancer risks among postmenopausal women. Zhao states, “In our current study using data from the Women’s Health Initiative prospective cohort, we found that postmenopausal women who drank one or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day had a higher risk of developing liver cancer and dying of chronic liver disease than those who drank less than three or fewer sugar-sweetened beverages per month.”
Reducing SSB intake can help lower the risk of these cancers, making it a simple yet impactful lifestyle change.
