By: Barbara Willenberg, MS,
Associate State Nutrition Specialist,
Nutrition Education Program
Nutrition and Lifeskills
for Missouri Families
What's it all about?
- Cancer is the second leading cause of
death in the United States.
- There are many types of cancer, but all
cancers start with a single abnormal cell. Abnormal cells multiply
quickly. They spread to other parts of the body, invading healthy body
tissue and organs.
- Almost half of all cancer deaths can be
prevented with early detection and treatment.
Why worry now, I'm a teenager?
- Good question. Many types of cancer are
related to our lifestyle and teens are forming lifestyle habits they
will keep for life-not all are healthy!
- It's much easier not to start an
unhealthy habit, like smoking, than it is to break it later in
- It's also easier to form a healthy
habit, like using sunscreen, earlier in life before skin has been
What causes my risk for cancer?
- There are many causes for cancer
including smoking, the foods we eat, viruses chemicals, obesity and
exposure to sun.
- As much as one-third of cancer deaths
may relate to how we eat.
- Some cancers seem to run in families-it
is unclear if the link is genetic or a similar lifestyle.
What can I do to prevent cancer?
- Eat your veggies and fruits-at least 5
servings a day. They contain nutrients called antioxidants (like beta
carotene and vitamin C) which protect body cells from cancer.
- Veggies and fruits also contain plant
chemicals which fight cancer-called phytochemicals.
- Fiber-rich foods like whole grains,
beans, fruits and vegetables with their skin and seeds protect you
against colon cancer.
- Limit your fat by drinking skim or 1
percent milk, eating lean cuts of meat and taking the skin off chicken
- Some forms of cancer are linked to
obesity, so maintain a healthy weight by getting about 30 minutes of
physical activity every day.
- Don't smoke.
- To prevent skin cancer, limit your
exposure to sun and use sun-block of at least 15 SPF.
Did you notice????
We can control many of the
things that cause cancer,
like what we eat, smoking and using sunscreen.
Other Diet and Disease
Educational Support Materials:
Heart Disease Hypertension