You can reduce your risk.

You have just received a phone call: your best friend has been diagnosed with cancer. You search for the words to say - you feel helpless.

Just about all of us have had a friend, relative, or acquaintance with cancer. Perhaps you have or are experiencing it firsthand.

In the past we didn't know much about this killer. But the advances in cancer research have unlocked some of the mysteries and answered many of our questions. One of the most important findings is that we can do much to reduce our risk of cancer. Studies suggest that as many as 80 percent of cancer cases may be related to lifestyle and/or environment. This means you can reduce your risk by taking control of your daily life.

What is cancer? Cancer is a large group of about 100 diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.

Healthy cells that make up the body's tissues grow, divide, and replace themselves in an orderly fashion. keeping the body in good repair. Sometimes normal cells lose their ability to limit and direct their growth. They begin to divide and grow uncontrollably. If the spread is not brought under control, it can result in death.

What causes cancer? Cancer is caused by both external (chemicals, radiation, and viruses) and internal (hormones, immune conditions, and inherited mutations) factors. Causal factors may act together or in sequence to initiate or promote carcinogenesis, the process through which cancer develops in the body.

How can I prevent cancer? All cancers caused by cigarette smoking and heavy use of alcohol could be prevented completely. About 90 percent of the 700,000 skin cancers that were diagnosed in 1994 could have been prevented by protection from the sun's rays.

Regular screening and self-exams can detect cancers of the breast, tongue, mouth, colon, rectum, cervix, prostate, testis, and skin at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful. These sites include nearly half of all new cases. Of these cases, about two thirds of all patients currently survive five years. With early detection, about 90 percent would survive indefinitely.

What are the risks?

* Tobacco. According to the American Cancer Society, cigarette smoking is responsible for 90 percent of lung cancer among men and 79 percent among women. Smoking accounts for about 30 percent of all cancer deaths.

Secondhand smoke contains higher levels of toxins than smoke inhaled by the smoker. Therefore, those who inhale the smoke of others are at increased risk.

Use of chewing tobacco or snuff increases risk of cancer of the mouth, larynx, throat, and esophagus, and is a highly addictive habit.

* Alcohol. Alcohol has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and may be related to cancer of the liver, mouth, throat, and esophagus. The risk is multiplied when combined with smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco.

* High-fat diet. A diet high in fat may be a factor in the development of certain cancers, particularly breast, colon, and prostate. Obesity places one at greater risk as well.

* Sun exposure. Almost all cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year are sun-related. Evidence shows that sun exposure is a major factor in the development of melanoma, the most deadly of skin cancers. One severe sunburn can increase the chance of developing skin cancer. Children can be especially vulnerable because of their thinner skin.

* X-rays and radiation. Excessive exposure to ionizing radiation can increase cancer risk. Most medical and dental X-rays are adjusted to deliver the lowest dose possible without sacrificing image quality. Excessive radon exposure in homes may increase risk of lung cancer, especially in cigarette smokers.

* Hormones. Estrogen treatment to control menopausal symptoms may protect women against heart disease and osteoporosis, but may increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Including progesterone in estrogen replacement therapy aids in minimizing this risk.

* Industrial agents. Hazardous toxins may promote cancer and other diseases by destroying the body's cell structure. Common items found in the average home, such as insecticides, weed killers, pesticides, cleaners, paints, and solvents, may be hazardous to our health and must be handled carefully.

Risk of lung cancer from asbestos is greatly increased when combined with cigarette smoking.

* Family history. Family history is a known risk factor for many cancers, including breast, ovarian, and colon. Even though family history cannot be changed, it provides an opportunity for your physician to determine the risks that you can control.

Today, because of new discoveries, more information is available than ever before.

It's up to you to use this information and to formulate healthy habits for yourself and your family.