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).