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Ten Important Facts To Know About Cancer
1. Don't use tobacco. If you do, quit. This is the
single most important thing you can do to prevent cancer.
2. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Fruits
and vegetables may lower your risk for some kinds of cancer.
3. If you are a woman, age 50 or older, get a mammogram every one to two
years.
4. There is no upper age limit for the Pap test. Even women who have gone
through menopause should have regular checkups, including a pelvic exam
and a Pap test.
5. Cancers of the colon and rectum are more likely to occur as people get
older. Three tests can help find these cancers early: rectal exam, guaiac
stool test, and sigmoidoscopy. Ask your doctor how often you should have
these tests.
6. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, especially
older men. Discuss with your doctor early detection tests and their benefits
and drawbacks.
7. Avoid too much sunlight; wear protective clothing; use sunscreen.
8. Avoid unnecessary x-rays.
9. If you do have cancer, find out what your treatment choices are and which
are best for you. And before getting treatment, get a second opinion from
another doctor.
10 For more information about what you can do about cancer, call the National
Cancer Institute's toll-free Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER
(1-800-422-6237).
To ensure that you have the most up to date information, please call
the Cancer Information Service (CIS). The CIS, a program of the National
Cancer Institute, is a nationwide telephone service for cancer patients
and their families, the public, and health care professionals. CIS information
specialists have extensive training in providing up-to-date and understandable
information about cancer. They can answer questions in English and Spanish
and can send free printed material. In addition, CIS offices serve specific
geographic areas and have information about cancer-related services and
resources in their region. The toll-free number of the CIS is 1-800-4-CANCER
(1-800-422-6237).
Information provided by NIH (2001).
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