'Great American Health Challenge:' Beat Cancer

SATURDAY, Feb. 17 (HealthDay News) -- The American Cancer Society has rolled out its new Great American Health Challenge, a campaign to educate Americans about cutting their cancer risk.

The yearlong program encourages people to take the following actions in order to lower their cancer risk or to detect cancer at an early stage, when it''s most treatable:

• Check. Talk to your doctor about cancer screening tests, which can prevent cancer or detect it at it''s earliest stage.
• Move. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise five or more days a week.
• Nourish. Strive for a healthy weight and eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit your consumption of red meats, especially high fat and processed meats.
• Quit. Stop smoking or take part in the fight against tobacco by becoming an advocate of smoke-free communities.

To get started in the Great American Health Challenge, take the Great American Health Check on the cancer society''s Web site. The health check can assess your cancer risk factors and provide a customized action plan to reduce your cancer risk.

Other components of the Great American Health Challenge will be offered later this year. In August, the Great American Eat Right Challenge will provide advice about healthy eating habits and regular exercise. In November, the Great American Smokeout will once again seek to inspire and help smokers kick the habit.

It''s estimated that 50 percent of cancer deaths in the United States could be prevented through healthy lifestyle habits, according to the American Cancer Society. Reducing cancer deaths by 50 percent would save about 280,000 lives every year in the United States.

More information

Here''s where you can find the Great American Health Check.

-- Robert Preidt

SOURCE: American Cancer Society, news release, February 2007

Last Updated: Feb. 17, 2007

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