Women’s Health: Talking Points

 One in three women will get cancer in their lifetime.

 About half of cancer deaths could be prevented if people maintained a healthy weight through diet and regular exercise, avoided tobacco products and got recommended cancer screening tests.

 The American Cancer Society is encouraging women to choose themselves by making their own health a priority, which ultimately allows them to better care for their families.

 The American Cancer Society Choose YouTM movement inspires women to put their health first and make healthy lifestyle choices to stay well and help prevent cancer.

 Choose You empowers women with the tools, tips and motivation to put their health first and make healthy lifestyle changes to eat right, be active, get regular health checks, quit smoking, and use sun protection.

Facts:

• For many women, putting their own health first is a major step toward a healthy lifestyle.

• The changes don’t have to be major or all come at once, but committing to live a healthier life over a period of time can have significant benefits.

• Women can improve their health through diet, exercise, avoiding tobacco products, and following regular health check and screening guidelines.

• The American Cancer Society recommends a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein and limited consumption of processed and red meats

• The Society recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity 5 or more days/week.

• Tobacco remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S.

• Cancer screening has been shown to reduce mortality from cancers of the colon and rectum, breast, and uterine cervix, and can detect cancers at an earlier stage, before symptoms are evident, when treatment is more effective.

• The American Cancer Society and its advocacy affiliate the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer that secure investments in research and prevention, greater access to care and improved quality of life.

• In 2010 the American Cancer Society launched the Choose You movement, to inspire women to put their health first and make healthy lifestyle choices to stay well and help prevent cancer, while also raising money to support the Society create a world with more birthdays.

• Women can join the Choose You movement by logging onto ChooseYou.com and making a commitment to reach a personal health goal.