“Screenings are very important because many cancers are treatable if detected early,” says Marty Polovich MN, RN, AOCN, an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at SRMC. “Sharing information is another important part of cancer control. A lot of people don’t know how to reduce their risk of cancer.”

SRMC provides speakers to groups inform people about different health concerns upon request. Recently, presentations were given on skin cancer prevention at Fort Gillem and Georgia Power, she adds. Monthly Lunch & Learn programs are offered, where the community is invited to visit the hospital, eat lunch and attend a lecture about various health concerns.

“It’s critically important to embrace a healthy lifestyle,” Marty says. “You can’t change gender or genetics or some of the other risk factors. But choosing a healthy lifestyle will make a substantial difference in your risk of developing cancer.”

Marty stresses three major points to reduce your cancer risk.

#1 Stop smoking. Marty says she can’t emphasize this point too much. “Smoking greatly increases your risk of developing a lot of cancers—not just lung cancer—as well as other conditions, such as heart disease.”

#2 Diet. “Be sure to cut down on processed foods, eat more low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables and increase your fiber intake,” she says. “Maintaining a healthy weight is another critical factor is maintaining your health across the board.”

#3 Stay out of the sun. “Prolonged, unprotected exposure to the sun will damage your skin and greatly increase your risk of skin cancer. Tanning booths are also risky; since you’re naked, even more of you is exposed to the radiation,” Marty explains.

The American Cancer Society recommends that you begin annual screenings for breast cancer at age 40 with a mammogram, colon cancer at age 50 with a colonoscopy, cervical cancer at age 18 (or earlier if sexually active) with a pap smear.

For prostate cancer, most men should start annual screenings at age 50. But African American men and others who have a higher risk, like those with a family history of prostate cancer, should start at 40.