Dr. Loren Rourke, a Texas-based breast surgical oncologist and author of “Real Talk, Real Hope: Breast Cancer Your Way,” emphasized that while no lifestyle choice can guarantee cancer prevention, healthy habits<\/a> can help reduce certain risk factors.<\/p>\n LEADING ONCOLOGIST REVEALS 6 HABITS THAT COULD PROMOTE LONGEVITY AND REDUCE YOUR RISK OF CHRONIC ILLNESS<\/a><\/p>\n From maintaining a healthy weight to staying active, Rourke shared the following five everyday strategies that support the body and improve overall health.<\/p>\n To lower the risk of cancer and premature death, the American Cancer Society recommends a diet rich in vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains and legumes. (iStock)<\/p>\n No. 1: Maintain a healthy weight<\/p>\n Being obese or overweight<\/a> is associated with an increased risk of at least 13 types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.<\/p>\n Rourke estimates that excess body weight is likely the third-biggest risk factor for breast cancer, after female gender and aging.<\/p>\n OZEMPIC-STYLE DRUGS LINKED TO MAJOR SLOWDOWN IN CANCER SPREAD, NEW STUDY FINDS<\/a><\/p>\n Growing research suggests glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications \u2014 including Ozempic and Wegovy<\/a> \u2014 may be associated with a lower risk of cancer diagnoses and recurrence.<\/p>\n Rourke said one possible reason GLP-1s could prove beneficial for cancer risk is that the drugs promote weight loss and reduce chronic inflammation.<\/p>\n Growing research suggests glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications \u2014 including Ozempic and Wegovy \u2014 may be associated with a lower risk of cancer diagnoses and recurrence. (iStock)<\/p>\n “We know that a lower BMI equals a better prognosis with breast cancer,<\/a>” she told Fox News Digital. “So if the secondary effect of taking a GLP-1 means that you\u2019re going to lose weight, that\u2019s a benefit, because we know you\u2019re going to do better with breast cancer.”<\/p>\n GLP-1 drugs are not yet approved to prevent cancer, and more research is needed to determine whether they independently reduce disease risk.<\/p>\n No. 2: Stay physically active and fit<\/p>\n The American Cancer Society states that physical activity<\/a> is linked to a lower risk of several cancers.<\/p>\n The official guideline recommends 150\u2013300 minutes of moderate activity or 75\u2013150 minutes of vigorous activity per week for adults.<\/p>\n DOCTORS SAY 8 FORGOTTEN HABITS COULD HELP FIGHT STRESS, OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE<\/a><\/p>\n “I think people underestimate overall fitness,” Rourke said. “We tend to think about it for heart health<\/a>, but it\u2019s not just heart health \u2014 it\u2019s mental health and reducing your risk of having lots of chronic medical problems that span from one end to the other, in addition to other cancers.”<\/p>\n Even if staying physically fit doesn\u2019t keep cancer at bay, it may help improve outcomes if the disease develops, she noted.<\/p>\n The American Cancer Society states that physical activity is linked with a lower risk of several cancers. (iStock)<\/p>\n “One in eight women get breast cancer. So if it comes knocking, you want to be ready,” she said.<\/p>\n “Women come to me and say, \u2018I\u2019ve done everything. I\u2019ve exercised every day. I\u2019ve eaten a healthy diet<\/a>, and here I am sitting in your office.\u2019 And I say, \u2018Well, that healthy body is now ready for this fight.\u2019”<\/p>\n “If you can bring a healthy body and a healthy mind to the disease, you are going to do better.”<\/p>\n No. 3: Eat a balanced diet and limit processed foods<\/p>\n To lower the risk of cancer and premature death, the American Cancer Society recommends sticking to a diet rich in vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains and legumes, while limiting red\/processed meats, sugary drinks and highly processed foods<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rourke agrees with these guidelines, but noted that even people who follow healthy eating patterns can face cancer diagnoses.<\/p>\n CANCER SURVIVORS SAW MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN SLEEP AND WELL-BEING WITH ONE WEEKLY PRACTICE<\/a><\/p>\n “I have vegans sitting in my office. I have people who don\u2019t eat any sugar in my office. They\u2019re all getting breast cancer,” she said.<\/p>\n “What I say is, [eat] a healthy, balanced diet<\/a>, limited processed foods, as close to farm-to-table as you can get,” the doctor advised. “Just healthy eating, reasonable portions \u2026 nothing in excess.”<\/p>\n Even people who follow healthy eating patterns can face cancer diagnoses, the doctor noted. (iStock)<\/p>\n “If you practice that, that\u2019s going to suit you for so many things in your future.”<\/p>\n The doctor added that it\u2019s not necessary to take an extreme approach to dietary choices: “Do you need to give up all sugar? No. Do you need to go to the extreme? No.”<\/p>\n No. 4: Limit alcohol and avoid tobacco<\/p>\n Cigarette smoking<\/a> is responsible for about 20% of all cancers and about 30% of cancer deaths in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. The habit can cause cancer in numerous parts of the body, and quitting can reduce cancer risk at any age, experts say.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, alcohol consumption has been linked to an estimated 5% of U.S. cancer cases and 4% of cancer deaths in 2019, according to the National Cancer Institute.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n The U.S. surgeon general issued guidance last year following research that linked alcohol to at least seven types of cancer, naming it as the “third leading preventable cause of cancer” in the country, after tobacco and obesity.<\/p>\n Rourke advised that alcohol<\/a> should only be consumed in moderation, although even light drinking has been shown to raise the risk of certain cancers.<\/p>\n The U.S. surgeon general issued guidance last year following research that linked alcohol to at least seven types of cancer, naming it as the “third leading preventable cause of cancer” in the country, after tobacco and obesity. (iStock)<\/p>\n “Too many Americans are living with an outdated assumption that some amount of alcohol is not only harmless, but also good for you,” Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel previously told Fox News Digital. “Increasing evidence shows that isn’t true.”<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n “Even though traditional advice has been up to one drink a day for women and two drinks per day for men, in fact, no amount of alcohol is healthy,” he added.<\/p>\n No. 5: Keep up with screening and investigate concerning changes<\/p>\n Early detection programs<\/a> have enabled doctors and patients to detect disease earlier than ever before, which increases survival rates, Rourke noted.<\/p>\n “I think now there\u2019s more awareness,” she said. “People know if they have someone in their family and what kind of cancer they had.”<\/p>\n Early detection programs have enabled doctors and patients to detect disease earlier than ever before, which increases survival rates, the doctor noted. (iStock)<\/p>\n “I think people are much more educated in general, and that is promoting wellness, health, early detection and screening.”<\/p>\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/woman-drinking-smoothie.jpg\")
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