Our most popular cancer prevention stories of 2016

Following the cancer prevention advice in these stories can help you live a healthy life.

Healthy ways to get more energy

There are ways to get more energy during your day that don’t require caffeine. Having more energy can help you stay physically active and lower your stress level, which can help lower your cancer risk.

Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and staying hydrated are just a few things that can help you get more energy throughout your day.

Learn more ways to get more energy.

How a dermatologist protects her skin

Dermatologist Saira George, M.D., knows the importance of skin cancer prevention.

“As dermatologists, we see the effect of sun damage in our clinics every day,” she says.  “I think most people now realize that too much sun can cause skin cancer. But they may not realize just how much of what they thought was 'normal' aging of the skin – wrinkles, sun spots, loss of elasticity – is actually sun damage.  And that’s something you can minimize.”

Read her tips skin cancer prevention tips.

Vitamin D: What you should know

People tend to think of sunshine when they think of vitamin D, and with good reason. When UV rays come in contact with the skin, it triggers the creation of vitamin D.

Researchers believe most people can absorb enough vitamin D from just your “typical” outdoor comings and goings.

But, while absorbing the sun’s rays can have health benefits, it can lead to skin cancer.

Read about the safe ways to get vitamin D.

The pill and cancer: Is there a link?

Oral contraceptives — better known as the pill — may affect a woman’s chances of developing breast and gynecologic cancers. In some cases, that means a higher chance of cancer. In others, it means protection against cancer.

The reason? Most oral contraceptives contain man-made versions of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Taking the pill changes your hormone levels, which can trigger — or in some cases prevent — some female cancers. 

Learn more about the benefits and risks of the pill.

How to read a nutrition label

Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of cancer prevention.  And knowing how to read a nutrition label is one way you can learn more about the food you’re eating. The Food and Drug Administration requires most foods to feature nutrition labels that include how much food is inside the package and what nutrients and ingredients make up that food.

But reading the label can be a little tricky, so we spoke with Diana Bearden, clinical nutrition supervisor at MD Anderson, to learn more. Here are some tips for reading and understanding a nutritional label.

Learn what to look for. 

Request an appointment at MD Anderson's Lyda Hill Cancer Prevention Center online or call 877-632-6789.