by Max Hammonds, MD

The American Institute for Cancer Research kicked off World Cancer Day in the U.S. on February 4.

On World Cancer Day, American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) launched a new nationwide campaign and special mini-website, offering evidence-based information and practical tools for lowering cancer risk.

Their new educational tools use colorful, dynamic text-based animation to educate people about the links between everyday choices and cancer risk. Their regular website, www.aicr.org, will take you to AICR’s CAN PREVENT website (prevent50.org).

Visit the site and you can:

• Download a 30-day cancer prevention planner
• Use the interactive tool to see which factors link to risk of specific cancers
• Try AICR’s tested and delicious Healthy Recipes
• Find easily readable and shareable infographics and video, highlighting the latest research
• Take quizzes on diet, physical activity and cancer prevention

AICR estimates that about 1/3 of the most common cancers in the US (338,000 cancers) could be prevented if Americans moved more, weighed less and ate more healthfully. Add in not smoking and avoiding sun damage, and that figure climbs even higher. Nearly half of US cancers could be prevented by changing our everyday habits.

This empowering and hopeful message hasn’t reached most Americans yet. According to AICR’s recent biennial Cancer Risk Awareness Survey, less than half of Americans realize that diet and physical activity play a role in cancer risk. Most blame factors like pesticide residue on produce and genetically modified foods.

With the Can Prevent campaign, AICR wants Americans to understand that there are steps people can take to lower risk that offer real, measurable protection.

You can help spread the word. Throughout the year, AICR will be promoting the CAN PREVENT site through social media using the #prevent50 hashtag. On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, please share your pictures and stories of how you are working to reduce cancer risk. It could be a photo of your healthy lunch, steps on your pedometer, or a new vegetable you tried.

Make sure to use #prevent50 to encourage and connect with others. On Instagram add the #pictureprevention hashtag.

Reprinted from the February 2015 Newsletter from the American Institute for Cancer Research