Cancer: vital statistics

Top Tips to prevent cancer

1. Avoid smoky areas and don't smoke.
   
2. Bald men should wear hats in the sun to avoid skin cancer.
   
3. Check your breasts for lumps while in the bath or shower, particularly if you're between 50 and 64, the age group most at risk of breast cancer.
   
4. Get your breasts checked with mammograms between the ages of 50 and 64.5 Women should get their Pap smears up-to-date to allow early detection for cervical cancer.
   
5. Men should regularly check their testicles for lumps.
   
6. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and avoid the sun in the afternoon between 12pm and 3pm.
   
7. Diets high in saturated fats and red meat are linked with cancer, so limit high-fat foods and trans fats.
   
8. Lack of fruit and vegetables in the diet cause cancer, so eat your five portions of fruit and veg every day.
   
9. Maintain a normal weight because obesity is linked to colon cancer.
   
10. Limit your alcohol intake.
    
11. Try to avoid harmful chemicals and pollutants.
    
12. Eat more fibre.
    
13. Don't eat charred food.
    
14. Limit your intake of smoked or salty foods because they increase the risk of stomach cancer.
    
15. Try to exercise regularly.
    
16. Take advantage of cancer-screening services.