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As the new year rolls around, folks far and wide are dusting off that musty list of goals and dreams to make their New Year’s resolutions. This year, consider resolving to do something for your health. The American Cancer Society has compiled a list of five lifestyle behaviors that will help you get fit and be healthy – hopefully year after year. These goals not only improve your overall health, they fight cancer.

Your lifestyle choices help determine your risk of developing cancer. Last year, almost 55,000 people in California died of cancer caused by an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and excess weight. With these easy resolutions, you can reduce your risk of cancer by almost half – and thus reduce your chances of becoming one of them.

HEALTH
Getting routinely screened is an important preventative step. If cancer is caught early, treatment is more effective and survival rates increase. The American Cancer Society recommendations include annual mammograms for women age 40 and higher, and regular colon cancer screening for both genders age 50 and higher. For more information and useful tools, visit cancer.org/healthy.

ACTIVITY
Staying active can lower your chance of developing breast and colon cancers. Adults should participate in a minimum of half an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity at least five days a week. Children and teens should aim for 60 minutes a minimum of five days a week.

NUTRITION
Extra pounds can boost the risk of developing some cancers, including breast and colon. According to recent studies, slimming down can lower the risk of breast cancer. To reach and maintain a healthy figure, the American Cancer Society encourages a nutritious diet that includes at least five servings of fruits and vegetables, only whole grains, limited processed and red meat, and moderate portions. For advice on following a healthy diet, visit cancer.org/healthy.

QUIT
Smoking leads to more than 16,000 early deaths in California and using tobacco is considered the leading cause of premature death in the state. Tobacco use raises the risk of cancer of the lung, mouth, pancreas, kidney and more. A full 30 percent of cancer deaths are caused by using tobacco.

SUPPORT
The California Cancer Research Act, if approved in June, will raise taxes on cigarettes by $1 per pack, with the money directed toward research, preventing smoking and enforcement efforts. The act would create almost $600 million a year for research, making California the second greatest funder of cancer research worldwide. To learn more, visit californiansforacure.org.

For more information on any of these tips or to live a healthier lifestyle, visit the American Cancer Society’s stay healthy website section at cancer.org/healthy or call 1.800.227.2345.

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