low-dose aspirin regu-
larly had a 23 percent
lower risk of ovarian
cancer. Some studies,
though, have shown
that for certain people,
aspirin is not as effec-
tive as originally
thought in protecting
against other diseases.
Because aspirin can
cause bleeding issues,
ask your doctor whether
it’s right for you.3
Indulge in a
daily cup of joe.
A 2017 review of
the evidence indicates
that drinking just one
cup of coffee—either
decaf or regular—every
day could lower your
risk of several types of
cancer, especially liver
and endometrial can-
cer. Scientists think this
may be due to the phyto-
chemicals in coffee,
which have antioxidant
and anti-inflammatory
properties.4
Ditch or dim
screens before bed.
Studies suggest
that high levels of expo-
sure to artificial light
at night—especially theblue light emitted by
cell phones, TVs, and
tablets—may boost
your risk of breast
and prostate cancer.
Light disrupts circadian
rhythms, which may
weaken your body’s
immune function. The
science is evolving, but
you might want to limit
your electronics usage
in the evening or use
a blue-light filter such
as the Night Shift setting
on most Apple devices.5
Check your home
for radon. This
gas is the second-
leading cause of lung
cancer in the United
States, and as many as
1 out of every 15 homes
has unsafe levels. Radon
comes from the natural
breakdown of uranium
in the ground under
your house, and it’s just
as likely to be a problem
in newer homes as in
older ones. Because
radon is odorless and
colorless, a test is the
only way to know your
risk. Pick up a test kit
at the hardware store,
or hire a professional
to check your home.Repeat at least every
two to three years.6
Spend less time
sitting. According
to a large-scale
study published in the
Journal of the National
Cancer Institute, people
who sat more hours
during the day had a
24 percent increased
risk of colon cancer and
a 32 percent increased
risk of endometrial
cancer compared with
those who sat the least.
The connection held
true even for those who
were physically active,
indicating that exercise
alone is not enough to
offset the risks of too
much sitting.7
Get screened for
hepatitis C. Hepati-
tis C is the most
commonly reported
blood-borne infection
in the United States.
Yet carriers often don’t
know they have the
virus, because it has no
obvious symptoms. For
reasons not entirely
understood, baby
boomers are five times
more likely to have therd.com 33Reader’s Digest