Top 7 Tips for Reducing Your Risk of Cancer

1. Don’t smoke

The smoke from cigarettes or cigars can increase the risk of many types of cancer. There is no safe amount of smoking and no safe type of tobacco product.

For help quitting, call the Smoker’s Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or go to www.SmokersHelpline.ca.
Protect your spouse, children or grandchildren by not smoking in the home or in the car.

Note: In Ontario, it is illegal to smoke in a car with passengers under 16 years old. You can be fined up to $250.

2. Be a healthy weight

Being overweight can increase your risk of many types of cancer. As a family, make healthy changes to help everyone get to and stay at a healthy weight.

To find out if your weight or your child’s weight is healthy, visit Dietitians of Canada.
EatRight Ontario has practical tips on how to manage your weight.

3. Eat a healthy diet

Eating lots of vegetables and fruit, whole grains, and dairy products or fortified dairy alternatives can help to reduce your risk of some types of cancer.

EatRight Ontario has information, meal plans and recipes. You can also email questions or telephone and speak to a registered dietitian (1-877-510-5102).
What are some healthy lunches for children?
How can I find low-cost, healthy food?

4. Be active every day

You may know that being physically active strengthens your heart, lungs and muscles. But did you know that being active can also help to reduce the risk of developing many types of cancer?

Walking and biking are great ways to improve your health.
Low-cost physical activity programs are offered by city or town recreation centres. Here’s how to find a recreation centre in your area.
Find out about camps and walking trails .

5. Avoid drinking alcohol

Alcohol can increase the risk of several different types of cancer. If you drink alcohol, try to drink as little as possible.

If you are worried about your drinking or the drinking of someone you know, call the free Ontario Drug and Alcohol Helpline at 1-866-531-2600 or go to ConnexOntario.

6. Protect yourself from the sun

Too much sun can damage the skin and lead to skin cancer. People of all skin types (fair or dark) and all ages need to protect themselves by staying in the shade and wearing hats, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Find out how to protect yourself, babies and children when playing or working outdoors.

7. Protect yourself from disease

Different vaccinations or immunizations are available to prevent disease. In Ontario, girls in grade 8 are offered free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations at school to protect them from developing cancer of the cervix later in life. There are also programs to screen (i.e. test) adults for colorectal, cervical and breast cancer.