The founder and lead surgeon of Lewisville Flower Mound Oncology talksprevention.

Lewisville, TX, — With an estimated 1.7 million Americans on track to receive a diagnosis of cancer in the coming year, the need for prevention is evident. People seeking to cut their risks dramatically may find that making simple lifestyle changes can have a big impact. A recent study, in fact, found that between 20 to 40 percent of all cases of cancer may be preventable if healthy lifestyle choices are made.

“While family history, genetic mutations and other factors beyond a person’s control do play roles in risk, the study’s findings put the spotlight on the measures anyone can take to prevent cancer,” says Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at Lewisville Flower Mound Oncology. “Researchers also found that even when cancer cannot be prevented, healthy lifestyle choices can dramatically lower the likelihood of mortality.”

The study in question involved the analysis of data related to nearly 90,000 women and 46,000 men. An estimated 18 percent of the women and 25 percent of the men fell into “low-risk” categories due to the lifestyle choices they made. The analysis showed that those who were deemed at lower risk were significantly less likely to develop cancer or die from the cause than those who led higher-risk lifestyles.

For the purposes of cancer prevention, a healthy lifestyle is defined as:

• Maintaining a healthy weight – It is recommended that people maintain a body mass index between 18.5 and 27.5.
• Limiting alcohol consumption – Alcohol consumption should be limited to occasional use with recommendations of no more than one serving a day for women and no more than two for men. Less, researchers say, is better.
• Making exercise a part of the routine – Working 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of moderate activity into the weekly routine can have a positive impact.
• Cutting out tobacco use – Cigarettes and other tobacco products are clearly and strongly linked to cancer. Stopping use can have tremendous preventative benefits.

“While not every case of cancer can be prevented, research shows people do have the power to limit their risks,” says Dr. Echt. “Taking steps to lead a healthy lifestyle can make a very big difference.”

About Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group
The Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group has state-of-the-art facilities that offer individualized care to patients throughout North Texas. With a team of expert oncologists and other specialists on staff, the Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group treats a variety of cancers and blood disorders with an eye towards the newest advancements available in diagnostic technology and treatments.