Making a few healthy lifestyle changes can cut your cancer risk in half
NEWMARKET – During Cancer Awareness Month this April, The Regional Municipality of York encourages residents to live healthier to reduce the risk of cancer.
According to Cancer Care Ontario, approximately 40 per cent of Ontarians will develop cancer in their lifetime and one in four diagnosed will die from the disease.
There is no single cause of cancer, but making these simple healthy lifestyle changes can reduce your cancer risk by up to 50 per cent:
• Live tobacco-free – be a non-smoker and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke
• Eat healthy – consume more fruits, vegetables, fibre and low fat foods
• Maintain a healthy body weight – decrease weight carried around your waist
• Be active – focus on activities that raise your heart rate at least two-and-a-half hours per week
• Avoid or limit alcohol consumption – consume no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women
• Protect your skin from the sun – cover up, seek shade and use sunscreen
• Get screened – proactive screening before symptoms are present can find cancers at an early stage, making them more treatable.
• Know your body – talk about any changes or symptoms with your health-care provider.
Cancer is a disease that starts in our cells and develops when the cells begin to grow abnormally. Over time, groups of abnormal cells form lumps or tumours. The term cancer applies to a variety of diseases as various types behave and affect the body differently.
For more information, please call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933 or visit
www.york.ca/cancerscreening
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Media Contact: Lisa Sposito, Community and Health Services, York Region
1-877-464-9675, ext. 4106 • After-Hours Cell: 905-955-2533 •
lisa.sposito@york.ca
York Region
@YorkRegionGovt