13 Things - You Can Prevent Many Cancers

One in six deaths worldwide is from cancer, yet research shows that at least 42 percent of cancers could be prevented. Along with healthy eating and not smoking, add these habits to your list of ways to lower your risk.

- Michelle Crouch

1 Wear a hat.

A wide brimmed hat gives your face an added layer of protection on top of your sunscreen. It also covers the back of your neck and your scalp, where many people forget to apply lotion. A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that people with melanomas on the scalp or neck die at almost twice the rate of people with skin cancer on other parts of their bodies.

2 Consider taking baby aspirin.

Research shows it may protect you from as many as ten different cancers, including liver, lung, and prostate cancer. In a recent study, women who took a low-dose aspirin regularly had a 23 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer. Some studies, though, have shown that for certain people, aspirin is not as effective as originally thought in protecting against other diseases. Because aspirin can cause bleeding issues, ask your doctor whether it’s right for you.

3 Indulge in a daily cup of joe.

A 2017 review of the evidence indicates that drinking just one cup of coffee—either decaf or regular—every day could lower your risk of several types of cancer, especially liver and endometrial cancer. Scientists think this may be due to the phytochemicals in coffee, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

4 Ditch or dim screens before bed.