Home Health in Southeast Houston, League City Pasadena, Webster, Clear Lake, Baytown call 281-484-0200.

I don’t have a strong family history of cancer. Am I still at risk?

The average person in the U.S. has a lifetime risk of nearly 40 percent of developing some type of cancer. So you’re definitely at risk, says David S. Alberts, M.D., director of the Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson. All of us are at risk. But interestingly, lifestyle-not family history-is responsible for the majority of cancers in this country, Dr. Alberts says. More than 80 percent of all cancers are related to our diets, our smoking habits, our inactivity, and other preventable lifestyle factors.

The best overall strategy for lowering your risk? Dr. Alberts’ Rx: Don’t smoke, eliminate your exposure to secondhand smoke, stick to a diet that’s low in fat with loads of fruits and vegetables, get physically active for at least 60 minutes every day, and follow all standard screening guidelines.

Limit your alcohol consumption. According to the American Cancer Society, the more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of developing certain kinds of cancer, including oral, liver, and breast cancers.