Diet and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention

Patient Guideline Summary

Publication Date: June 1, 2020

Objective

Objective

This patient summary means to discuss key recommendations from the American Cancer Society for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention. It is limited to adults 18 years of age and older and should not be used as a reference for children.

Overview

Overview

  • This patient summary focuses on lifestyle habits that reduce the risk of cancer.

Prevention

Prevention

  • Weight: Maintain your weight within the healthy range for your height.
    • Your doctor or standard tables can identify that range.
  • Exercise: Most important is to be physically active, whatever you do.
    • There is plenty of information available on specific activities and exercises.
    • If you don’t enjoy what you do, you won’t do it.
  • Diet: “Eat a third less; live a third longer.” Shop the walls of the grocery store where the natural foods are, not the aisles.
    • Minimize sugar, processed foods, and refined grain products.
  • Alcohol: Not more than one ounce a day for women; two for men.
    • One ounce is in 2½ ounces of 80 proof liquor, 8½ ounces of wine, and 20 ounces of beer.
  • Tobacco: None

Source Citation

Rock CL, Thomson C, Gansler T, Gapstur SM, McCullough ML, Patel AV, Andrews KS, Bandera EV, Spees CK, Robien K, Hartman S, Sullivan K, Grant BL, Hamilton KK, Kushi LH, Caan BJ, Kibbe D, Black JD, Wiedt TL, McMahon C, Sloan K, Doyle C. American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention. CA Cancer J Clin. 2020 Jul;70(4):245-271. doi: 10.3322/caac.21591. Epub 2020 Jun 9. PMID: 32515498.

Disclaimer

The information in this patient summary should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.