February is National Cancer Prevention Month and a great opportunity to learn more about how to reduce your risk for cancer or even prevent it.
Kendra McIntyre, outreach coordinator for the Cancer Services Program of Allegany, Steuben, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties, notes that research shows up to half of cancer cases — and about half of cancer deaths — could be prevented by getting screened for certain cancers and with lifestyle changes like choosing a diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains, exercising, drinking less alcohol and not smoking.
“One key action you can take right now is making sure you are up to date with your cancer screenings,” Kendra says. “Talk to your doctor about what screenings you need now, and which are due in the future. How can screening prevent cancer?”
In the case of cervical and colorectal cancers, screening tests can find the cells that lead to cancer. These cells can be removed before cancer grows. Although breast cancer can’t be prevented with a screening test, a mammogram can find breast cancer early when it may be easier to treat, Kendra says.
If you don’t have insurance or a health care provider, the Cancer Services Program may be able to help. The CSP provides free cervical, colorectal, and breast cancer screening for eligible New Yorkers who do not have health insurance. If you are age 40 or older, call the CSP at (877) 778-6857 to find out if you qualify for free cancer screenings.
In addition to getting cancer screenings, there are many other things you can do to lower your risk for cancer. A few of these include staying at a healthy weight and staying physically active; again, eating right, not using tobacco and choosing not to drink alcohol or to drink less.
More information about how to prevent cancer or find it early can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here’s to good health in 2025!