The phrase “knowledge is power” is not true; Knowledge + Action = Power. When it comes to cancer, many have resigned ourselves to a position of hope that our research scientists and doctors will at the very least find a cure and ideally ways to prevent cancer from occurring. As noble as their efforts are, we can’t wait for that time and need to take charge of our own lives. How big is one’s risk of cancer? And, what decreases cancer risk?

The numbers are daunting, but we must face them head on to make the necessary changes in our lives. With a population just shy of 323 million, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 1,735,350 new cancer cases diagnosed and 609,640 cancer deaths for this year alone. In the U.S., they estimate about 1 man in 7 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, and for thyroid cancer, they estimate 62,450 new cases. Lung (224,390 new cases), prostate (180,890 new cases), and colorectal (134,490 new cases) cancers are the three most common types of cancer after breast cancer (249,260 new cases). The numbers by themselves are discouraging, and when we pause to reflect upon how cancer affects us and those in our lives, we can become very disheartened.

Yet there is good news if we are willing to act. The American Cancer Society states, “The World Cancer Research Fund has estimated up to one-third of the cancer cases that occur in economically developed countries like the US are related to overweight or obesity, physical inactivity, and/or poor nutrition, and thus could also be prevented.” Additionally, “All cancers caused by tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption could be prevented completely.” So when we ask: What decreases cancer risk? The answer is us.

This news is empowering. We can take charge of our bodies, abandon sedentary lifestyles, enjoy various activities, and feed our bodies the healthiest foods nature has to offer while omitting whatever degrades them.

And there is more good news. In 1996, the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that a Nutritional Prevention of Cancer Trial had, for the first time, shown a high selenium yeast dietary supplement, now trademarked as SelenoExcell®, could be effective in reducing colon, lung, and prostate cancer risk by 48% to 63%, with a 50% overall reduction in mortality risk for all cancers (White Paper).

No one can promise a cure or that cancer will never strike, but with the right diet and healthy lifestyle we can beat the numbers!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.