Cancer Screening & Risk Reduction

Getting checked early, staying active, and making healthy lifestyle choices all help to reduce your risk of getting cancer.

Female Doctor And Patient During Mammography Test In Examination Room

Ask Your Primary Care Provider About Scheduling Cancer Screening Tests

Early detection through regular screenings saves lives!

  • Breast Cancer Screening & Mammograms
  • Cervical Cancer Screening
  • Colon Cancer Screening
  • Lung Cancer Screening
  • Prostate Cancer Screening
  • Skin Cancer Screening

Family History, Genetic Counseling, and Testing

Genetic testing for cancer is important because it can show if you carry inherited traits that increase your risk. Knowing this helps you and your care team take steps for early detection, prevention, or personalized treatment.

Ask to talk to a genetic counselor if you or a close family member has:

  • A known genetic trait in the family that increases cancer risk
  • Cancer at young ages (diagnosed before age 50)
  • Multiple relatives with the same or related cancers (such as breast, colon, prostate, uterine, ovarian, pancreatic, stomach)
  • More than one cancer in the same person
  • Rare cancer types (such as ovarian or pancreatic)
  • Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry

Genetic Counselors can meet with you to discuss:

  • Your cancer risk factors and family history
  • If genetic testing is right for you, risks and benefits for you and your family
  • If you choose to have testing, it can be done through a simple saliva (spit) sample or a blood draw
  • What your genetic testing results mean and any recommendations for cancer screening and testing for you and your family members
  • The emotional impact of cancer as you make decisions for your health care
Man Getting Vaccinated, Doctor Applying Adhesive Bandage

Vaccines Are Extremely Important In Protecting You From Certain Viruses That Can Cause Cancer

Check with your provider about which vaccines you need and when. See below for the recommended adult vaccine schedule and cancer prevention.

Diet, Physical Activity, and Healthy Living

Diet, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle choices play a big role in lowering your risk of cancer. They directly affect how your body functions and how it can protect itself.

Ask your provider for support and learn more about how to reduce your risk.

Istock 1427634068 Aspect Ratio 342 185

Why does Healthy Eating Matter?

  • Supports the immune system to better heal and stay strong
  • Helps you feel better during treatments
  • Helps to keep your muscles and body healthy
  • Helps to lower your risk of cancer and to live longer
Adobestock 254451278 Scaled Aspect Ratio 342 185

Tips for Healthy Eating:

  • There is no one perfect diet for everyone. What matters most is finding small, healthy changes you can stick with and building habits that work for your life.
  • Plant-forward diet: emphasize vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, and nuts
  • Lean proteins (fish, poultry, soy, legumes)
  • Limit or avoid red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods
Adobestock 635171640 Aspect Ratio 342 185

Staying Active. Physical Activity:

  • Being active is one of the best things you can do for your health.
  • Regular physical activity helps control your weight, keeps your heart and muscles strong, and boosts your energy. It can lower inflammation and your risk of many cancers.
  • Staying active may help your body work better during treatment and recover faster afterward.
Woman checking facial skin in mirror

Sun Exposure and Skin Safety:

You can’t avoid sunlight entirely, but you can limit UV exposure with a few simple steps:

  • Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours.
  • Wear long sleeves, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Use UV-blocking sunglasses.
  • Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on uncovered skin.
  • Avoid tanning beds, sunlamps, and other artificial UV sources.
  • Use protective clothing or UV shields if exposed to UV at work.

Do skin self-exams often and let your provider know of any concerns. How to do self-exams is described below.

Woman wearing wide brimmed hat

Protect Your Skin From UV Rays:

  • Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head, face and neck
  • Wear sunglasses that block UV rays to protect your eyes and the skin and the skin around them
  • Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to help protect skin that isn’t covered with clothing
Person pushing drink away

Alcohol and Tobacco Harm Reduction:

  • Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer. It is the third most common potentially avoidable cause of cancer, after cigarette smoking and excess body weight.
  • Avoiding the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs is the safest choice in cancer prevention.
  • Talk to your care team. Everyone’s journey is different. Whether you are ready to quit or just thinking about making a change, we are here to listen and support you in taking the next step that feels right for you.

Healthy Living Resources

Expert tips, videos and practical guidance on healthy living.

Alcohol, Tobacco & Harm Reduction Tips