Some cancers may be prevented by avoiding risk factors for cancer, such as tobacco use, diets too high in fat and too low in fiber, too little exercise, unsafe sex, and too much sun (or artificial sunlight, as from tanning booths).

Common risk behaviors and associated cancer types partially controllable by prevention
Risk Behaviors	Preventive Behaviors	Associated Cancer Type
Tobacco use	Do not use tobacco Avoid second hand tobacco smoke	Lung-bronchus
Unbalanced diet	Eat more fruits and vegetables	Colon-rectum
Sedentary lifestyle	Get regular moderate physical activity	Colon-rectum
Unsafe sex	Practice safer sex to reduce exposure to sexually transmitted diseases	Liver; Cervix
Ultraviolet Radiation	Avoid excessive sun exposure Do not use artificial tanning devices	Skin
Chronic Alcohol Use	Limit consumption of alcohol	Oral cavity

Information on trends of risk behaviors associated with particular cancer types can be found in the report Cancer in Rhode Island. For more information on cancer prevention strategies, please refer to the Cancer Control Plan.

Helpful Links for More Information About Cancer Prevention:

Quit smoking!

Eat healthy foods!

Stay Active! Visit the CDC's Physical Activity Website (off site)

Learn more about common Cancer Rates and Risks (off site)

Visit the Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention (off site)

Check Your Cancer Risk at the Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention (off site)

Highlights

Cancer in Rhode Island, 2003
is a comprehensive report that includes cancer rates, risk factors, prevention, screening, treatment, and survival rates for each cancer site/type.

PDF Help Center