ASCO: You’re listening to a podcast from Cancer.Net. This cancer information website is produced by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, known as ASCO, the world’s leading professional organization for doctors who care for people with cancer. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. Cancer research discussed in this podcast is ongoing, so the data described here may change as research progresses. Many people are aware that quitting smoking or other tobacco use will reduce the risk that someone will develop cancer. In today’s podcast, Dr. Noelle LoConte, Dr. Jeffrey Gershenwald, and Dr. Cynthia Thomson will discuss their article from the 2018 ASCO Educational Book, “Lifestyle Modifications and Policy Implications for Primary and Secondary Cancer Prevention: Diet, Exercise, Sun Safety, and Alcohol Reduction,” and share tips for other changes people can make to reduce their cancer risk. Dr. LoConte is a medical oncologist at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Gershenwald is Professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Thomson is a Professor and Director of the Canyon Ranch Center for Prevention and Health Promotion in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. Published annually, the Educational Book is a collection of articles written by ASCO Annual Meeting speakers and oncology experts. Each volume highlights the most compelling research and developments across the multidisciplinary fields of oncology. ASCO would like to thank Dr. LoConte, Dr. Gershenwald, and Dr. Thomson for discussing this topic. Dr. LoConte: Hello, my name is Dr. Noelle LoConte from the Carbone Cancer Center. I’m joined today by Dr. Jeffrey Gershenwald, from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Dr. Cynthia Thomson from the University of Arizona Cancer Center. In this podcast, we will be sharing some key points from our 2018 ASCO Educational Book article titled, “Lifestyle Modifications and Policy Implications for Primary and Secondary Cancer Prevention: Diet, Exercise, Sun Safety, and Alcohol Reduction.” Lifestyle behaviors and their impact on a person’s cancer risk have been widely studied by cancer researchers. Experts have found that modifiable behaviors, like diet and exercise, account for between 30 to 50 percent of cancers. And, many reports have found that if Americans followed the cancer prevention recommendations issued by the American Cancer Society, that cancer rates could be reduced by about 17% overall and by up to 60% for some cancers in high-risk groups. One major driver of cancer risk is obesity. Dr. Thomson, you’ve done quite a bit of work studying obesity and cancer risk. Can you tell us about what you’ve learned? Dr. Thompson: I’d be happy to, Dr. LoConte. Over the past several decades, rates of obesity have risen to epidemic proportions in the United States, and it is likely that this factor has contributed to higher rates of several cancers in America. Experts estimate that obesity increases cancer risk as much as 20% overall and 50% for people under the age of 65. These findings mean that we need to promote life-long weight management as a way to reduce the rates of cancer. For those who are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight has been shown to have health benefits. Dr. LoConte: What foods should be avoided to reduce cancer risk and maintain a healthy weight? Dr. Thompson: Avoiding sugary drinks, processed meats like t