I don't want to be too heavy or too sedentary. I know both will increase the odds that my cancer will come back.

Most cancer survivors know a healthy lifestyle can help prevent recurrences and increase life expectancies. Yet, new research finds that this group has rates of obesity and physical inactivity similar to those of the general population. This is troubling because maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise is critical for cancer survivors who wish to conquer their diseases and live a long life.

The details of this research, published in the June issue of Cancer, include the following.

• Less than one quarter of cancer survivors were physically active.

• Thirty-four percent of survivors were overweight. Almost one in five were obese.

• The lowest rates of physical activity were found among colorectal cancer survivors, breast cancer survivors, and female survivors of melanoma.
  
  

Kevin Stein, director of Quality of Life Research at the American Cancer Society, says this research underscores the fact that cancer survivors need to pay attention to their health.

"There is a teachable moment when someone is diagnosed," he says, "It's the perfect opportunity to say, 'We all need to eat healthy and exercise, but it's even more important for you as a cancer survivor.'"

If avoiding cancer is a priority for you, check out this AOL Body site.

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I think there's not a whole lot of difference between practicing healthy habits for general wellness and practicing healthy habits for the prevention of breast cancer. Just check out the points made in this article about warding off the nasty disease that this year will strike about 178,000 American women.

The suggestions seem pretty familiar, don't they? That's because they're generally good for the body. And so it's simple, really. Just live a clean life, shoot for good health, and you'll have a fairly good shot at warding off all sorts of unwanted illness, like breast cancer.

In a nutshell, here's what tops this article's list of healthy habits:

• Maintain a healthy weight. A 2005 study showed women who gained weight after a breast cancer diagnosis had an increased risk of recurrence. Other studies show overweight women have a greater chance of a first-time breast cancer diagnosis. And countless studies indicate excess weight is bad for the heart, cholesterol, bones, joints, and more. Body Mass Index (BMI), although not a perfect measure, can help you chart your healthy weight.

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