Making Cancer Prevention Simpler

Overwhelmed? Collins boiled the 10 recommendations down to these three:

• Choose mostly plant foods. Limit red meat and avoid processed meat.
• Be physically active every day in any way for 30 minutes or more.
• Aim to be a healthy weight throughout life.

Keep in mind that these tips are about reducing -- but not eliminating -- cancer risk. Many factors, including genes and environmental factors, affect cancer risk; diet and exercise aren't the whole story, but they're within your power to change.

SOURCES: Walter Willett, MD, DrPH, professor of epidemiology, chairman of the nutrition department, Harvard School of Public Health. Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN, nutrition advisor, American Institute for Cancer Research. American Dietetic Association Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo, Chicago, Oct. 25-28, 2008.