That's Fit

50%. As many as 50% of cancer deaths could be avoided by making healthy lifestyle choices. 50%! That's huge. A recent American Cancer Society report states that, as we already knew, a healthy lifestyle can reduce cancer risk. But adding to that, the report states that 50% of deaths could be avoided. Good nutrition, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, keeping alcohol to a minimum, and getting the appropriate medical screenings (check with your doctor for specific recommendations) are all important in preserving your good health.

More than 170,000 cancer deaths in the US are related to smoking; quitting may be the most important step you take to reduce your risk of cancer. Obesity is another prominent factor in cancer risk; it's the root of more than 180,000 US cancer deaths each year.

Quite a few years ago I wrote an article regarding the concept that 3 servings of low-fat dairy a day could help you lose weight. Then it was uncovered that the sponsor of the original study had ties to the dairy industry. Hmmm... makes you pause and think about how unbiased the study was, doesn't it? It's unfortunately the case with a lot of studies. Research is time consuming and expensive, so financial backing is necessary. Often, the finances come from an organization with a vested interest in the result. Any researcher worth his or her salt will perform an unbiased and accurate study regardless of the sponsor, however. And, if the sponsor wants accurate results, they should demand nothing less. Sometimes, however, the sponsorship of a study makes people question the results.

Such is the case with a 2006 study that determined lung scans might help save smokers from cancer. Big tobacco indirectly financed the study by making sizable donations (to the tune of 3.6 million) to a foundation that was listed as a sponsor of the study. Researchers properly revealed the study sponsors, but the indirect connection to big tobacco wasn't revealed. At this point, there is no indication that the study's findings are in any way tainted.

Statin drugs are normally associated with lowering high levels of 'bad' cholesterol (the LDL kind). U.S. researchers said this week that statins may also be helpful to the prevention of cancer.

In fact, the risk of developing cancer decreases by 25% in those veteran user of statin drugs compared to those who don't use the cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Well, that's good to know -- but we all should not rush out and start trying to get stain prescriptions to prevent cancer. In many cases, simple nutrition changes would help many lower cholesterol levels -- and prevent cancer too -- instead of taking man-made drugs. But, hey -- that's your choice.

Want some relief from that cancer pain? THC, the hallucinogenic compound in marijuana, may just be your ticket. Now, you've probably heard the term "medical marijuana" before. This is different, though.

It's been found that THC and another compound derived from marijuana can actually slow the spread of cervical and lung cancers. The tests that supported this were done in test tubes, however.

Do cannabinoids -- or chemical compounds derived from marijuana -- really have anti-cancer effects? They sure could -- in a direct way (read: not by smoking the leaves).

New research reports that everyday lifestyle choices can affect your risk for cancer just the same as genes and overall environment.

This should come as no surprise to many of us. The foods we eat, beverages we drink, air we breathe and many other factors determined mostly by chosen locale and surrounding living area can wildly influence cancer risk.

Think there is little difference in a diet made of natural veggies compared to one full of read meat?

Information is empowering. Check what you do on a daily basis (from waking up until going to sleep) and monitor your activities -- what choices do you make that could contribute to cancer risks in the future?

Like Jacki referenced a few days ago, dietary changes are an important factor to consider when trying to combat cancer or prevent it in the first place.

The consumption of red meat, processed foods loaded with chemicals and other foods can lead to cancer according to some. While I believe that is very true, you may not. Respecting each other's beliefs is commendable.

But, if you're serious about avoiding cancer, eating and drinking things containing possibly harmful substances should be done in moderation. Are you comfortable ingesting a bunch of chemicals and non-natural foods on a daily basis? If so, more power to you. I won't be in that group, however.

At a recent check up, I was filling my practitioner in on That's Fit and the things we talk about here. "You should write about colon cancer," she said, and then told me she'd been diagnosed with it last year. I was shocked. She's young, takes good care of herself, eats right. She said that colon cancer is showing up in younger people more than ever. She thinks that everyone over 40 should have a fecal blood test, which is an inexpensive and painless way to check for blood in the stool.

I put the topic on my mental "to-do" list, but then today came across this article. New fecal blood tests can screen for colon cancer with a great deal of accuracy, but it seems that not very many people are using them. Most people go right for the colonoscopy, but because that's a test that isn't recommended until after age 50, younger people aren't being screened. Official recommendations haven't changed to include those over 40, but it might be worth mentioning to your doctor.

If you fix that morning whole-wheat toast on most mornings, how about grinding up some fresh cinnamon to sprinkle on top? Don't add that white sugar, but just some cinnamon (and maybe raw cane sugar if needed).

Cinnamon makes a tasty addition to many foods of course, and there are many health benefits that have been tied to cinnamon as well, including lowering cholesterol (the bad kind) and blood sugar levels (helpful for diabetics).

But, don't be of the mind that more is better. According to a new study, cinnamon in amounts less than one-fourth of a teaspoon taken daily are helpful -- but don't add it to everything you eat. Not that any of us would do that, anyway. A fruit smoothie with cinnamon doesn't really....wait -- that does sound good!

Are you a win drinker? If you're a guy and drink red wine regularly, you may be protecting yourself from possible prostate cancer. In fact, new research shows that those men who consumer four to seven glasses of red wine per week will only have 52% the chance to be diagnosed with prostate cancer later in life.

Red wine (and resveratrol in the grape's skin) are thought of to have immense cancer-prevention capabilities, and that thinking even extends into advanced forms of cancer as well.

But, are the alcohol-related effects of red wine enough to push some people away (men, in particular) from drinking it in the first place? that's a valid concern, right?

For more information on preventing or managing cancer, please visit The Cancer Blog.

Are you someone who thinks everything causes cancer? Do you feel it strikes people at random -- or that, in spite of all the studies, there's nothing you can do to protect yourself?

If so, you might be more prone to the disease.

Recent research finds that almost half of the population agrees that "nearly everything causes cancer," and half of that group feels there's nothing can do to prevent it. Subsequently, they don't take any precautions against the disease.

This mentality, however, is exactly what makes them more vulnerable. Because, in fact, about 2/3 of all cancer cases are preventable. 30% of cancer deaths are related to smoking, and 20% are linked to obesity. So don't smoke, eat fruits and vegetables, and don't spend all day in the sun, and you'll drastically reduce your risk.

And next time you think it's beyond your control -- especially if you're using that belief as an excuse to smoke, tan, or avoid a healthy lifestyle -- think again.

Yikes – according to this article, even just a few extra pounds in your midsection can put you at a serious risk for developing heart disease. Those at risk include people whose waist circumference is over 31.5 inches for women and 35.5 for men, as well as those with a BMI of 23 to 25 and/or a weight of 150 or greater. That's about 80% of the population.

Apparently the problem lies in the presence of visceral fat -- a layer of stubborn fat the lies beneath the superficial fat that you can feel on your tummy.

One thing about this article that was pointed out to me by a friend is its failure to mention height or body type. It says that people over 150 lbs are at risk, but 150 lbs can be either overweight or underweight depending on the person. And anyway, isn't a BMI of 23 considered healthy?

What are your thoughts?

I've always enjoyed yogurt. Mixed with half a banana and a little granola, it's one of my favorite breakfasts.

Lately I've noticed that the array of yogurt selection in the dairy aisle has become mind numbing. There are containers touting "all natural" and "trans-fat free" and "no sugar added" and, the most recent, "probiotic." I counted 14 different selections of yogurt yesterday while grocery shopping. And to think that all I used to choose from was flavour!

I am not sure why the manufacturers of yogurt decided that the average consumer should know what probiotics are and why they should like them in their yogurt. So, I did a little research and found this: essentially "probiotic" means that the good bacteria are living and present in the yogurt. The good bacteria has been credited for everything from cancer prevention to better immune functions but studies have been inconclusive on any of these.