Simple tips to prevent a complicated disease: Cancer

BJC ACO wants you to know these cancer prevention basics.

Number one, avoid tobacco in all forms. It’s one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer.

Second, have a colonoscopy screening done if you are 50 or over. It can help doctors discover and remove precancerous lesions early so that they do not become an invasive cancer.

Third, use sunscreen and the right type of clothing to protect your skin from exposure to sunlight, which can cause skin cancer.

Women should receive regular Pap smears and mammograms, and men should be tested regularly for prostate cancer. It’s also important to know your family history, as many forms of cancer have a hereditary link.

Consult your physician concerning the tests you should receive to screen for cancer, and on what steps you should take to reduce your risk.