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.

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Whether you are a healthcare provider, a researcher, or just someone who wants to learn more about cancer prevention, we’re here to help.

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.

February 2, 2012 | 2 minute read

Cancer Prevention: Looking Back, Looking Forward

It’s National Cancer Prevention Month and we’re taking the opportunity to mark AICR’s 30th Anniversary.

In our February eNews, we look back at what we’ve learned and forward to where the research is going. We’ve come a long way in the past 30 years in understanding how diet, weight and physical activity affect cancer risk and survivorship – but we still have much more to learn. Here’s a look at some things we know and what may be down the road:

1.  What we eat makes a difference.

Diet recommendations to lower cancer risk have evolved, as for many chronic diseases, from a focus on single nutrients or food components to overall eating patterns and whole foods.

This can make choosing a healthy diet simpler, and AICR’s New American Plate model, unveiled in 1999, is a perfect example. Reshape your plate to look like this: at least 2/3 contains vegetables, fruit, whole grains and legumes, 1/3 or less contains animal foods.

Stay tuned: We’re learning more about how food components work together and how a person’s genes may affect individual responses to nutrients and food.

2.  Physical activity affects cancer risk and can benefit survivors.

It’s no secret that physical activity can help people keep weight off, but AICR’s expert report and its updates concluded that moderate physical activity also lowers risk for several cancers independent of preventing weight gain.

More good news – cancer survivors can benefit from appropriate physical activity throughout and after treatment. Check out our new video: Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors.

Stay tuned: What kinds, how much and at what intensity will exercise best promote cancer prevention and healthy survivorship?

3.  How much we weigh affects cancer risk.

Overweight and obesity increases risk for seven cancers. AICR estimates that more than 103,000 cancer cases in the U.S. every year could be prevented if every American was a healthy weight. Reversing the obesity epidemic will require individuals to make healthier eating and exercise choices and developing policies/environments that make it easy to make the healthy choice – whether more walkable communities or access to healthy and affordable foods.

Stay tuned: How will all the players – individuals, government, industry, schools and workplaces work together to support a healthier America?

What lifestyle changes have you made based on cancer prevention research?

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