The fear of cancer is universal. Two out of every five people will have to face that fear at some time during their life. The good news is that many cancers we could develop in the future can be prevented by changes in our lifestyle. Experts say the key to reducing the risk of cancer is to avoid tobacco smoke, eat more fruit and vegetables, drink alcohol modestly and remain physically active. Also, paying attention to the environment in which you work and live and avoiding exposures that may be harmful may also help keep cancer at bay.

Most of the time, our body's defences recognize and destroy abnormal cells. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells overcome the body's defences and grow out of control.

'Cancer' refers to many diseases that share some common features, but which behave very differently. Some cancers grow slowly and do not spread, others grow quickly and spread. Most importantly, some cancers can be cured, others cannot. Cancer is Ontario's number one health problem. The number of cases is expected to double in the next 25 years, mainly as a result of our aging and growing population.

All types of tobacco use increase your chances of getting cancer. Smoking causes about one-third of all Ontario cancer deaths-an estimated 8,000 in 2002 or 22 people every day. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and smoking causes 90 per cent of lung cancers. Non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke are also at higher risk of getting cancer.

As many as one-third of all cancers, especially colorectal, breast, prostate and even lung, may be related to what we eat and drink. Each day, you should eat a variety of healthy foods from the four basic food groups. Check out Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating for more information.

Regular exercise keeps you healthy and reduces your risk of colon and breast cancer. Try to be active most days. The important thing is to exert yourself enough so that your heart rate increases for at least 30 minutes. Keeping a healthy weight is also important, as obesity appears to be a risk for breast, kidney, colorectal, uterine and esophageal cancers.

Even one sunburn is thought to increase the risk of cancer, especially among those under 18 years of age. Try to avoid sun exposure between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during the months of May to August, cover exposed areas of your skin and use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more.

Regular screening and self-examination for certain cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer, increases your chances of early detection, when treatment is more likely to be successful, with fewer side effects.

For more information about cancer, visit :

• HealthyOntario

April 2004

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