According to nutritionists and epidemiologists from leading universities in the United States, a person can reduce the chances of getting cancer by following some simple guidelines:

• eating plenty of vegetables and fruits
• exercising vigorously for at least 20 minutes every day
• avoiding excessive weight gain
• avoiding tobacco (even second hand smoke)
• decreasing or avoiding consumption of animal fats and red meats
• avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol
• avoiding the midday sun (between 11 A.M. and 3 P.M.) when the sun's rays are the strongest
• avoiding risky sexual practices
• avoiding known carcinogens in the environment or work place

In addition, following the advice of physicians in refraining from certain activities or drugs that are proven as risk factors for certain cancers can help lower one's risk. For instance, while physicians have long known a small increased risk for breast cancer was linked to use of HRT, a landmark study released in 2003 proved the risk was greater than thought. The Women's Health Initiative found that even relatively short-term use of estrogen plus progestin is associated with increased risk of breast cancer, diagnosis at a more advanced stage of the disease, and a higher number of abnormal mammograms. The longer a woman used HRT, the more her risk increased.