Inherited risk factors: Only three to 5 percent of cancers are believed to be hereditary. By far the greater influence over whether or not a person develops cancer is his or her lifestyle. Breast cancer appears to have a genetic link. A woman whose mother, sister, or daughter (first-degree relatives) has had breast cancer is about twice as likely to develop the disease as a woman whose close female relatives have not had breast cancer. Other cancers associated with family history include ovarian, prostate, and colon cancers.

Some cancers are linked with common family habits such as cigarette smoking, which can damage the genes in the lungs, throat, mouth, and many other organs.

Lifestyle factors: Several lifestyle choices appear to impact a person’s likelihood of developing cancer. These include:

• Smoking (cancers of the lung, larynx, throat, mouth, breast, bladder, pancreas, cervix, colon, rectum, oesophagus, kidney, and stomach);

• A low-fibre, high fat diet—particularly fats of animal origin;

• Leading a sedentary lifestyle;

• Not using sunscreen/excessive sunbathing (including salon UV tans). Preventive measures: The Canadian Cancer Society says that at least half of all cancers can be prevented through healthy living.

Preventive measures: The Canadian Cancer Society says that at least half of all cancers can be prevented through healthy living. You can become more healthy if you:

• Build regular physical activity into your life. • Eat more vegetables and fruits (5 - 9 servings daily). • Cut back on red meats and animal fats. • Stay alert to the signs of cancer (a list is available from the Canadian Cancer Society ’s website www.cancer.ca).

• Undergo regular screening (your doctor will advise you what tests are most appropriate for you). • Make sure you have at least 1,000 IU of Vitamin D daily as this may help prevent cancers of the colon, breast and prostate. • Consider taking supplemental antioxidants such as Ester-C ® to increase your intake of protective elements.

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