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Healthy eating and regular physical activity has been proven to lower your risk of cancer. Other benefits include managing your weight, increasing well being and preventing heart disease and high blood pressure.

Curves, Australia’s largest women’s fitness network, and The Cancer Council have developed some guidelines for a healthy lifestyle – by incorporating these into your daily routine you can lead a healthier life and minimise your risk of cancer.

• Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, a variety of wholegrain cereals, breads and pastas and select foods low in fat.
  
  Low in fat and high in fibre, fruit and vegetables are excellent foods for helping maintain a healthy body weight, which in turn helps lower the risk of some cancers.
  
  Foods high in wholegrain foods help to maintain a healthy digestive system and contain high levels of fibre resistant starch and natural protective substances such as antioxidants.
  
  High fat diets on the otherhand, can lead to obesity and an increased risk of some cancers, including breast cancer. Obesity also increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes. So choose foods low in fat, particularly saturated fat, and use healthy oils sparingly.
  
  
• Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active
  
  A healthy weight and regular physical activity reduces the risk of many cancer types and helps boost energy and vitality levels making you feel better instantly. In addition being physically active is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer (particularly breast cancer).
  
  
• Limit or avoid drinking alcohol
  
  Drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing some cancers, including breast cancer, so it’s important to limit your consumption.
  
  
• Don’t smoke
  
  Smoking is suspected of increasing the risk of cervical and breast cancer. While scientists are continuing to research the link between smoking and breast cancer, toxins from cigarettes have been discovered in breast cells.

If you’re a smoker and want help to quit, call the Quitline on 13 7848 (QUIT).

If you need help to start planning your healthy lifestyle, why not drop into your nearest Curves location.

Curves can help you plan an effective exercise and diet program that will fit into your lifestyle.

© 2008 Cancer Council