The Taos Relay For Life will begin this Saturday, August 8, 2009, at 12 noon in Kit Carson Park with the survivor's lap. Relay team members will continue to walk laps around the park continuously till Sunday at noon, symbolizing that the battle against cancer must be carried on around the clock until a cure for cancer is found. Relay For Life is a series of nationwide cancer awareness and fundraising events. Money raised is donated to the American Cancer Society. You can help support the Relay For Life by making a donation to a team and by visiting the park during the event to support team members. The Relay For Life motto is: Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back. Celebrate cancer survivors, Remember those who have been lost to cancer, and Fight Back through research to find a cure by joining in and supporting the Relay For Life.

Here are some of the top tips to prevent cancer.

Don't use tobacco. Tobacco use is associated with lung, bladder, throat, cervix, kidney, pancreas and other cancers.

Eat healthy foods. Eat at least a third of your foods raw, such as fruits and vegetables. Limit processed foods. Limit fat in your diet, especially animal fats. Do not depend on supplements to keep you healthy—food is much more important to health.

Limit alcohol use. Men should have no more than 2 drinks per day and women no more than one.

Stay active. Regular exercise helps control insulin and blood glucose levels. Elevated insulin and blood glucose contribute to cancer risk.

Maintain a healthy weight. People with lean bodies live longer and have less risk of disease.

Protect your skin from the sun. Limit your exposure during the heat of the day and protect your skin when you are in the sun.

Get immunized. Hepatitis contributes to liver cancer—there are vaccines for hepatitis A and B. Human papillomavirus (HPV) may cause cervical cancer and there is an HPV vaccine.

Avoid risky behaviors. Illegal drug use and unprotected sex are some behaviors that increase cancer risk.

Get screened. Medical screening, especially after age 40, can help with the early detection of cancer. Early detection and treatment greatly increases the effectiveness of treatment.

References: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer-prevention/CA00024, http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20081028/10-lifestyle-tips-for-cancer-prevention.

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