Lose Weight and Cut Your Cancer Risk

Cancer is a scary disease, but here;s a stat that should help give you some perspective: About 30 to 40 percent of cancers could be prevented by good eating and exercise habits. That's right, you do have some control over the disease. By eating a nutritious diet and working out regularly, you're reducing your risk for several forms of cancer, including colon and pancreatic cancer, according to two studies.

Scientists have long known that diet and exercise influence the risk for colon cancer, but a recent study looked at whether these healthy habits could help prevent a relapse of the disease. Researchers from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston looked at more than 1,000 colon cancer survivors and found that those who ate a Western diet (comprised of refined grains, processed and red meat, desserts, high-fat dairy products and French fries) were 3.25 times more likely to have a recurrence of cancer five years after their initial diagnosis compared to those who ate a healthy diet (characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, chicken and fish). Not surprisingly, those who followed the healthier diet exercised more and were thinner.

By eating well and working out, you're also protecting your pancreas. In fact, a study in the journal Cancer Research shows that obesity and a sedentary lifestyle double the risk for developing pancreatic cancer, a particularly deadly form of cancer.

So, keep getting in your regular sweat sessions and saying no to junk food (or enjoy a small amount of your favorite treats as part of your Anything Goes calories). Not only will these habits help you slim down, they could also help reduce your cancer risk.