Cut your cancer risk every day

There are several things you can do every day to help reduce your risk of cancer. Do you know what they are? Take this quiz:

1. Which fruits contain carotenoids, plant chemicals that may significantly reduce the risk of lung cancer?
   1. watermelon
   2. grapes
   3. cantaloupe
2. Some researchers believe a chemical called EGCG could be the most powerful anticancer compound ever discovered. EGCG is present in:
   1. apple juice
   2. green tea
   3. milk
3. Limiting what food in your diet helps prevent colon cancer?
   1. red meat
   2. fish
   3. bran flakes
4. How often should you reapply sunscreen?
   1. every 30 minutes
   2. every hour
   3. every two hours
5. True or False: Eating charred or burned meat can increase your risk for certain types of cancers.
6. Broccoli loses its cancer-protective flavonoids when it’s microwaved. What percentage does it lose?
   1. 60 percent
   2. 78 percent
   3. 97 percent
7. Adding exercise to your daily routine may help reduce your risk of some cancers. What is the minimum amount of exercise you should get on a daily basis?
   1. 15 minutes
   2. 30 minutes
   3. 60 minutes
8. True or False: Self-exams may increase your chances of detecting cancer early when it is the most treatable.
9. True or False: Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer.

Answers:

1. Cantaloupe. Phytochemicals, naturally found in fruits and vegetables, can help prevent cancer by fighting free radicals that can damage your cells.
2. Green tea. ECGC is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage.
3. Red Meat. Consuming a lot of red or processed meat has been linked to an increased risk in colon cancer. Choose fish, chicken or try a vegetarian diet instead.
4. Every two hours. Protection from UVA and UVB rays can prevent skin damage and skin cancer.
5. True. During grilling, red meat forms certain chemicals during the process called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Researchers believe these chemicals can be linked to many types of cancers.
6. C. Prepare fresh or frozen vegetables by roasting, sautéing or slightly boiling. Over-cooking vegetables and fruits reduce the presences of important vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients.
7. 30 minutes. Keep bones, muscles and cells healthy by getting at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, exercise that safely increases your heart rate from its resting rate.
8. True. Only we know what’s normal in our bodies and what’s not. Pay attention to any changes and do regular self-exams. Ask your primary care physician about any changes you experience.
9. True. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death, illness and disability in many areas of health, not just cancer.

What’s your cancer risk?

Learn your lung cancer risk factors and if a lung cancer screening is recommended for you by taking this Healthy Lung Quiz.

Identify your different types of breast cancer risk factors by taking this Healthy Breast Quiz.

Identify your different types of prostate cancer risk factors by taking this Healthy Prostate Quiz.

Identify your different types of prostate cancer risk factors by taking this Healthy Colon Quiz.

Our teams of specially-trained cancer providers are skilled in the care of your unique diagnosis. Every type of cancer reacts differently within your unique biological microenvironment and so our teams work together to collaborate and determine a personalized treatment plan for your individual needs. Visit augustahealth.org/cancer or call 706-721-6744.