While there’s no single cause of cancer, research has revealed factors that increase your risk of developing it. To reduce this risk, avoid tobacco, eat a healthy diet, exercise daily, limit your alcohol use and limit your exposure to UV rays. Take Leap’s quick quiz to test your knowledge of some of the specific lifestyle choices that can help to reduce the risk of cancer.
What is the safest way to get a tan?
A. There is no safe way to get a tan.
B. Avoid tanning beds and using sun lamps, and instead tan outside.
C. Sit outside in the early afternoon, when the sun is at its strongest.
(Answer: A. There is no safe way to get a tan. Instead, protect yourself from the sun by covering up, wearing a hat and sunglasses, using sunscreen and avoiding indoor tanning. Take vitamin D supplements to get enough of the vitamin that your body makes in the sun.)
What is an acceptable amount of alcohol intake?
A. Women and men should have fewer than three drinks a week.
B. Women should have fewer than two drinks a day and men should have fewer than three drinks a day.
C. Women should have less than one drink a day and men should have fewer than two drinks a day.
(Answer: C. There is a link between drinking alcohol and an increased risk of developing several types of cancer. If you drink, limit your alcohol intake to reduce your risk and remember that one drink is equivalent to one 350 mL bottle of beer, one 145 mL glass of wine and one 45 mL shot of spirits.)
How much red meat is healthy to eat per week?
A. Avoid red meat entirely and instead consume fish and poultry.
B. There’s no need to limit your red meat consumption as long as you choose the leanest meat at the supermarket.
C. Limit the amount of red meat you eat each week to three servings.
(Answer: C. A diet high in red meat, which includes beef, pork, lamb and goat, may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Limit your red meat consumption, choose lean meats and trim visible fat. A serving should be smaller than a deck of cards, just 85 grams when cooked.)
