1. Kick the butts.
A cigarette is not a cool accessory—it's the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. Recent studiesindicate that women smokers are twice as likely to develop lung cancer than male smokers (www.lungcancercoalition.org).
2. Get a mammogram.
In general, you can't feel a breast lump with your fingers if it's less than 1cm across —about the size of a large pea. A mammogram detects lumps that are only 1mm across—one-tenth as big. Now there are digital mammograms. But whether you opt for a digital or a conventional one, what really matters is that you get one annually if you're a woman over the age of 40 and you trust the doc who reads your results.
3. Research your family health history to learn if you're more at risk for certain diseases.
So you can begin taking preventive lifestyle measures—like eating a low-fat, high fiber diet and exercising regularly—that will help you beat the odds. Breast and colon cancers, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and depression tend to run in families.
4. Check yourself.
Watch out for suspicious moles to prevent skin cancer from developing. Alert your dermatologist if you notice any of these "Mole ABCDs": Asymmetry (when one side of a mole doesn't match the other), Borders (irregular, ragged edges), Color (any changes or uneven coloring) and Diameter (a mole that's wider than a pencil eraser).
