When you include the American Institute for Cancer Research in your estate plans, you make a major difference in the fight against cancer.

Corporate Champions who partner with the American Institute for Cancer Research stand at the forefront of the fight against cancer

40 Years of Progress: Transforming Cancer. Saving Lives.

The AICR Lifestyle & Cancer Symposium addresses the most current and consequential issues regarding diet, obesity, physical activity and cancer.

The Annual AICR Research Conference is the most authoritative source for information on diet, obesity, physical activity and cancer.

Cancer Update Program – unifying research on nutrition, physical activity and cancer.

Read real-life accounts of how AICR is changing lives through cancer prevention and survivorship.

We bring a detailed policy framework to our advocacy efforts, and provide lawmakers with the scientific evidence they need to achieve our objectives.

AICR champions research that increases understanding of the relationship between nutrition, lifestyle, and cancer.

Are you ready to make a difference? Join our team and help us advance research, improve cancer education and provide lifesaving resources.

AICR’s resources can help you navigate questions about nutrition and lifestyle, and empower you to advocate for your health.

A Blueprint to Beat Cancer

How to Prevent Cancer:
10 Recommendations

AICR is committed to putting what we know about cancer prevention into action. Our panel of world-renowned independent experts from across the globe have reviewed decades of evidence and from their conclusions have developed the most reliable cancer prevention lifestyle advice currently available. This is summarized in our 10 Cancer Prevention Recommendations.

1/10

Cancer and weight: Be a Healthy Weight

Keep your weight within the healthy range and avoid weight gain in adult life. The evidence linking body fatness to cancer is overwhelming and has grown stronger over the past decade.

2/10

Exercise and cancer: be physically active

Be physically active as part of everyday life. Walking more and sitting less is a great way to reduce cancer risk. The more active you are, the greater the benefit.

3/10

Eat a Diet Rich in Whole Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, and Beans

Make whole grains, vegetables, fruits and pulses (legumes) such as beans and lentils a major part of your normal diet. A healthy pattern of eating and drinking is associated with a lower risk of cancer. Independent studies show that the more closely you follow our recommendations, the more you reduce risk of developing cancer.

4/10

Limit Consumption of “Fast Foods” and Other Processed Foods That are High In Fat, Starches, or Sugars

Limiting these products helps you control your calorie intake and makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight. There is strong evidence that diets containing greater amounts of "fast foods" and other processed foods high in fat, starches or sugars are a cause of weight gain, overweight and obesity. Greater body fatness is a cause of 12 cancers.

5/10

Limit Consumption of Red and Processed Meat

Eat no more than moderate amounts (12-18 ounces per week) of red meat, such as beef, pork, and lamb. Eat little, if any, processed meat. There is strong evidence that eating red or processed meat are both causes of colorectal cancer.

6/10

Limit Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Drinks

Drink mostly water and unsweetened drinks. There is strong evidence that regularly drinking sugar sweetened drinks is a cause of weight gain, overweight and obesity. Greater body fatness is a cause of at least 12 cancers.

7/10

Limit Alcohol to Reduce Cancer Risk

For cancer prevention, it is best not to drink alcohol. There is strong evidence that drinking alcohol is a cause of six cancers, and even one small glass of alcohol a day can increase the risk of some cancers.

8/10

Do Not Use Supplements for Cancer Prevention

Aim to meet your nutritional needs through diet alone. We advise against the use of supplements as protection against specific cancers.

9/10

For Mothers: Breastfeed Your Baby, If You Can

Breastfeeding is good for both mother and baby. It carries many health benefits, including the ability to reduce your chances of developing breast cancer.

10/10

After a Cancer Diagnosis: Follow Our Recommendations, If You Can

Unless otherwise advised, and if you can, all cancer survivors are advised to follow the recommendations as far as possible. Always, check with your health professional about what is right for you.

Not smoking and avoiding other exposure to tobacco and excess sun are also important in reducing cancer risk.

Following these Recommendations is likely to reduce intakes of salt, saturated and trans fats, which together will help prevent other non-communicable diseases.

Check In With Your Health

The choices we make each day can help reduce our risk of cancer.
AICR's new Cancer Health Check will help you learn more about your
choices and how you can stack the odds in your favor.

Close