By Tara Miller

Because there’s no cure for cancer yet, there’s also no surefire way to see it coming or blame the development of cancer on any specific lifestyle or diet choices. There are, however, studies that show how certain foods, habits and genetics can increase your chances of getting cancer. Read on for 101 easy ways to cut your cancer risk, just in case there is something you can do about it.

Habits to Break

Ditch these habits if you want to lengthen your life, improve your overall quality of life and reduce your cancer risk.

1. Smoking: Smoking is one of the most dangerous habits to continue if you are serious about your cancer risk. It can lead to lung cancer, throat cancer and more.
2. Drinking alcohol: Alcohol can increase your chances of developing ER+/PR+ breast cancer significantly. If you drink one to two drinks a day, your risk increases by 32%; three or more drinks a day increases your risk to up to 51%.
3. Sunbathing: While a few minutes of sunlight a day is actually good for you, regular sunbathing that leads to burns can lead to skin cancer.
4. Standing in front of the microwave: Doing it every once in a while probably isn’t too dangerous, but if you’re addicted to your microwave, take a few steps back and to the side to avoid DNA damage and cancer risk.
5. Laziness: Cancer.org maintains that "being overweight works in a variety of ways to increase cancer risk," and increasing your level of physical activity, even if you don’t lose a significant amount of weight, can reduce your chances of breast cancer and colon cancer.
6. Ignoring your age: While it’s important to remain active and avoid getting depressed about your age, you should also recognize that age is also a factor in increasing your risk of some cancers. Go for checkups more often and pay more attention to your body’s changes as you age.
7. Practice safe sex: Women can develop cervical cancer from the STD human papillomavirus, or HPV.

Diet

Your diet carries a lot of weight when it comes to reducing cancer risk. Remember that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially, is most important.

8. Fortified milk and OJ: Drinking milk and orange juice that has been fortified with vitamin D may reduce your chances of dying from colorectal or breast cancer.
9. Blueberries: Blueberries are powerful antioxidants and have even helped shrink tumors in babies.
10. Eat less red meat: Eat less red meat and less processed meat like sausage to reduce your cancer risk.
11. Broccoli: Broccoli and cauliflower contain sulforaphane, which is said to be as effective as anticancer drugs like taxol in stopping cancer cell division.
12. Flaxseed: Flaxseed and flaxseed oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which can cut colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer risk.
13. Avoid high doses of beta-carotene: Beta-carotene found in fruits and vegetables can be good for you, but consuming it in high doses can be harmful for those already at risk for lung cancer.
14. Whole grains: Whole grains are a good source of fiber, which may lower cholesterol and reduce cancer risk.
15. Mackerel: Mackerel is another good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
16. Grain products with folate: Getting enough folate can reduce your risk of developing colon, rectum and breast cancer.
17. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich in carotenoids, which can help minority women, especially Native American women, reduce their chances of getting cervical cancer.
18. Lower salt intake: Very high levels of salt in your diet may increase cancer risk.
19. Raw cabbage: Three servings of raw cabbage a month can reduce your chances of bladder cancer by 40% because of its source of isothiocyanates.
20. Tuna: Make yourself a tuna sandwich (on whole grain bread) to get omega-3 fatty acids and cut cancer risk.
21. Kale: Kale is a cruciferous vegetable that contains phytochemicals and can reduce cancer risk.
22. Strawberries: Strawberries are rich in the most effective kinds of flavonoids, which can help even smokers reduce their risk of lung cancer.
23. Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits contain biflavonoids, a phytochemical that helps cut cancer risk.
24. Anthocyanins: Anthocyanins are found in red and blue fruits and vegetables and help fight tumors.
25. Green and black tea: Green and black teas also have effective flavonoids that reduce cancer risk.

Tests and Check-ups

Find out what tests and check ups you need to catch cancer and risk factors early.

26. Pap test: Women at least 18 and up should get an annual pap test to check for cervical cancer.
27. Mole checks: Ask your doctor to check any new or changing moles. You can also give yourself a check for melanoma by reading this guide.
28. Self breast exams: Women should give themselves a breast exam between annual doctor’s visits.
29. HPV vaccine: Consider getting or encouraging your daughter to get the HPV vaccine, which can prevent HPV, one of the main causes of genital warts and cervical cancer.
30. BRCA-1 and BRCA-2: You may want to get tested to see if you have ovarian cancer genes if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
31. Prostate self-exam: Give yourself a routine prostate exam if you are under the age of 50 and don’t wait to get it done at the doctor every year.
32. Visit the doctor regularly: Visit the doctor at least once a year for a breast exam, pap test, prostate exam and other tests.
33. Prostate screening: Men, especially over the age of 50, should receive a professional prostate screening or exam at the doctor’s office.
34. Polyp tests: Polyp tests find colon and rectal cancer and are important for men and women over the age of 50 with an average cancer risk.
35. Risk Assessment: Use this guide from the National Cancer Institute to evaluate your cancer risk.
36. Endometrial/uterine cancer: Starting at the age of 35, women should get an annual screening if they are at high risk for non-polyposis colon cancer.

Cutting out Chemicals and Radiation

Chemicals and radiation can increase your chances of getting cancer, especially if you work in a harmful environment.

37. Cleaning supplies: Some cleaning supplies and air fresheners contain terpenes, which can react with ozone to produce harmful chemicals like formaldehyde.
38. Formaldehyde: Reduce your contact with formaldehyde, which has been acknowledged as a cancer-causing substance by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
39. Processed food: Diets high in processed meats and cheeses and bakery products can "speed growth of lung cancer tumors," reports ScienceDaily.com.
40. Try to cut back on CT scans and X-rays: If you’re constantly getting X-rays, talk to your doctor about how it affects your cancer risk, and find out if another procedure, like an ultrasound, can be conducted instead.
41. Ionizing radiation: Ionizing radiation is one cause of breast cancer and has been proven to increase risk in women who received radiation therapy to treat Hodgkin’s disease and teenagers who received large numbers of diagnostic x-ray exams to treat scoliosis and tuberculosis.
42. Diesel: Those who regularly breathe in diesel fumes may increase their chances of bladder cancer and lung cancer.

Fitness

Physical activity and a healthy physique are important to reducing cancer risk. Learn about smart fitness choices here.

43. Make a point to stay in shape: Keeping your weight down and preventing obesity can reduce your chance of developing esophageal cancer especially.
44. Keep track of calories: Find out how many calories you burn during a workout to make it easier to slim down and stay healthy.
45. Know how much you need to exercise: Here, the American Cancer Society reveals guidelines for how long adults and children need to exercise per day.
46. Get your kids involved: Help your kids prevent cancer early on by encouraging them to share in your active lifestyle.
47. Exercise after treatment: If you have already been treated for cancer and want to prevent it from returning, exercise and continue to eat right to reduce your chances of a relapse.
48. Yoga: If you’re not able to run or make it to a gym, try yoga for a good workout that doesn’t put too much strain on your body.
49. Take the stairs: Taking the stairs instead of the elevator is often recommended as an easy way to fit physical activity into your busy schedule.
50. Work out with friends: Socialize and stay motivated while you work out when you organize a group of friends to go on walks, take a dance class or play baseball.

Being Informed

Sometimes cutting your cancer risk means knowing how at-risk you are, due to your family history and symptoms. Check out these sites to learn more about cancer.

51. Know your family history: Use a tool like this one to organize your family medical history.
52. Know how to give yourself a breast exam: Make sure you’re giving yourself a proper breast exam and not taking any shortcuts.
53. American Cancer Society: Learn about the different types of cancer, treatments, symptoms and more on this site.
54. National Cancer Institute: Cancer.gov has a cancer drug dictionary, information about clinical trials, statistics, risk information, screening and testing information, and a lot more.
55. Cancer Health Center: WebMD’s Cancer Health Center is a great guide for learning about your risks, available options and treatments, and ability to prevent or reduce your chances of cancer.
56. New York Times Cancer: Stay on top of all the research studies and news related to cancer, cancer patients, the culture of cancer and more.
57. Medline Plus Cancer: This government site provides information on diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and more.
58. Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Visit this site to learn about breast cancer risk.

Environmental Factors and Tests

Find out if your environment–manmade or natural–is heightening your risk for cancer.

59. Radon: Radon-22 is a radioactive gas that is found indoors and outdoors but has a natural source. It can cause lung cancer but can be detected with home radon kits.
60. Asbestos: Breathing in asbestos can cause lung cancer, and your chances of getting cancer from asbestos increase if you smoke.
61. Arsenic: Arsenic, which is found in wood preservatives, animal hides, glass manufacturing, cigarettes and other products, can cause cancer if you are exposed to it in high doses.
62. Lead: It is still unknown whether or not lead causes cancer directly, but it has been linked to stomach and lung cancer. Metal workers, lead burners, pipe cutters, plumbers, battery makers and other workers who are exposed to lead products are at the greatest risk.
63. Tetrachlorethylene: Those who work in dry cleaners are exposed to this substance, also called perc, which can cause cancer.
64. Benzene: Benzene inhalation can result in a cancer risk and is especially dangerous for women firefighters.
65. PBDEs: PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are used as flame retardents and "have been identified as endocrine disruptors," according to Cornell and may act as estrogen disruptors, causing increased risk for breast cancer.

Going Organic

You don’t have to totally go organic to reduce your cancer risk, but growing your own vegetables and opting for cleaner materials and products in general is still a good way to avoid chemicals that could prove to be harmful in the future. Learn about going organic with these tips.

66. Grow your own organic vegetables: Learn how to plant organic seeds and grow your own safe vegetables with this guide.
67. Organic apples: The New York Times reports that "apples are…one of the most pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables," so buy these organic.
68. Organic skin care: Use organic body lotions, make up and sun screen to avoid putting chemicals directly onto your skin.
69. Organic Consumers Association: On this website, you’ll learn about all kinds of organic lifestyle issues and tips, including vitamins, clothes, raw food lifestyle and more.
70. Drink organic milk: By drinking organic milk, you’ll reduce your chances of consuming pesticides and antibiotics.
71. Organic cotton: Organic cotton is grown without pesticides or herbicides and is used for clothing, linens and more.
72. 10 Good Reasons to Go Organic: Learn about the other benefits of going organic, besides helping your health.
73. Organic baby items: Protect your babies and children from unnecessary chemicals by buying organic products for them.
74. Eat organic meat: Eating organic meat reduces your contact with pesticides, and supporting organic farmers reduces their exposure, too.

Daily Tips

From thoroughly washing your food to avoiding secondhand smoke, these daily habits can reduce cancer risk.

75. Wash food: Wash fruits and vegetables to remove any pesticides or harmful chemicals.
76. Exercise: Physical activity is a must when you need to lower your cancer risk, so make it a part of your daily routine.
77. Sleep at least seven hours a night: Sleeping for at least seven hours a night is especially critical for women who want to cut their cancer risk.
78. Breast-feed: Breast-feeding your children for six months can reduce your chances of developing low grade, slow-growing breast cancer by 20%.
79. Avoid secondhand smoke: Ask friends and relatives to refrain from smoking in your home or car, and try to sit in a non-smoking section of a restaurant if you possibly can.
80. Avoid talcum powder: Some studies indicate that there may be a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.
81. Monitor your environment: Be aware of second-hand smoke, sources of radiation and chemicals to decrease your daily risk.
82. Watch the news: Watch the news to learn about the newest cancer studies and treatments.
83. Limit alcohol intake: Limit your alcohol intake to just one drink per day to lower your cancer risk.
84. Eat more fruits and vegetables: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables keeps your weight down and feeds your body the antioxidants, carotenoids and other nutrients it needs.
85. Tune in to your body: The more tuned in you are to your body, the faster you’ll notice irregular symptoms and signs like changing moles or lumps.

Hormone Therapy

Consider the benefits and risks of hormone therapy here.

86. Tamoxifen: Tamoxifen can be used to reduce the return of cancer for women whose tumors test positive for estrogen.
87. Raloxifene: Raloxifene is another treatment that helps reduce breast cancer in high-risk women.
88. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer: Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can be used to stop the production of testosterone and androgens, reducing cancer risk.
89. Don’t use PHT: Hormone replacement therapy, or PHT, "definitely increases" your risk for developing breast cancer, according to Health.com. Use it only sparingly, if you must.
90. Anabolic steroids: Merck reports that long term use of anabolic steroids, which are used to increase physical performance, "may slightly increase the risk of liver and prostate cancer."

Miscellaneous Guides and Advice

Read these guides for even more easy ways to cut your cancer risk.

91. What to eat to lower cancer risk: MSNBC’s report stresses the importance of "veggies, fiber, vitamin D and calcium to prevent disease."
92. Exercise plus sleep may lower cancer risk in women: Read CNN’s guide to learn about a study that claims sleep and exercise can reduce cancer risk.
93. Limit alcohol to lower cancer risk: This guide encourages you to exercise, stop smoking, eat more fruits and vegetables, and reduce alcohol consumption to lower cancer risk.
94. How to Lower Your Cancer Risk: These tips include "see your doctor," "be physically active," and understand that "33 percent of all cancers are related to diet and physical activity issues," as reported by The American Cancer Society.
95. Coffee could lower cancer risk: This Japanese study found that drinking coffee may lower the risk of developing oral cancer.
96. Antioxidants don’t cut cancer risk, study finds: Read this report to find out that antioxidant supplements may not make a difference in preventing cancer.
97. What are the risk factors for breast cancer: Better understand your risk of developing breast cancer when you read this guide.
98. Vitamin D can lower cancer risk: This study recently came out and claims that a healthy does of Vitamin D, even from the sunlight, is beneficial.
99. Lowering risk for people with a personal history: BreastCancer.org gives hope to those with a family history of breast cancer.
100. Common Questions About Diet and Cancer: Cancer.gov’s info page answers your questions about how certain foods help prevent cancer.
101. Migraines lower cancer risk: This surprising study may be the silver lining for regular migraine sufferers.

Online pharmacy school has become a new method to introduce online students to a new option for further study.  Since pharmacy school no longer offers a bachelor degree, the program is a bit more time consuming than normal degrees, although it now allows students to study in online classrooms rather than travel to a commuter school or move across the country to attend classes.

Online pharmacy schools actually involve a higher degree of study since the students need to have the skills necessary to learn on their own through hands-on methods.  Traditional schools allow students to train with a professor in person, but online schools require the student to practice independently, therefore making them less reliant on a superior.  While this may seem to be a challenging undertaking, many disciplines now offer online degree programs and technology has allowed nearly every subject to be taught via the internet through audio and video. 

Most pharmacy students in general have achieved a previous bachelor’s degree or have at least three years of college experience, making them more self-sufficient and responsible with this type of “do-it-yourself” homework.  Additionally, pharmacy students have committed themselves to this particular field, which makes the learning process much easier than if they were simply attaining a first degree to find any type of job. 

Creighton is currently the only entry-level online program that is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education and sets them apart from other online pharmacy schools.  This school additionally offers a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, which is unique to the online community, and is a growing degree within the pharmacy industry in general.  Other schools offer programs for students who are still unsure about a full commitment to pharmacy school and instead enroll in a pharmacy technician program.  This program offers students the opportunity to take a peek into the pharmacy world to determine if this is the path they want to take, without fully committing to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  Additionally, pharmacy technician certificates give graduates the knowledge and skills necessary to break into the pharmacy world and gain valuable experience. 

The University of Florida offers online programs for students as well, including a non-traditional PharmD program for working pharmacists, allowing them to attain higher degrees while keeping their current pharmacy job.  PCDI and Penn Foster Career School both offer pharmacy technician programs, which appear to be a growing niche within the pharmacy community.  Comparable to medical coding degrees which offer students the opportunity to peek into the medical community, this certificate in turn allows students to peek into the pharmacy community.  Sometimes this is all students need to determine if they want to continue on their pharmacy school course or seek an alternative degree.  Without wasting too much time or money, this popular online degree gives students a chance to view first-hand the benefits of pharmacy school.

Online education is becoming increasingly common throughout the college world as more traditional schools have begun to offer classes online.  Online school is still a wary subject within the educational community, but its students know the work and dedication that goes into earning an online degree, as well as the focus and determination it takes to complete assignments online. 

Stress is a normal part of nearly everyone’s life, from high school students worried about tests and dating to young professionals starting out in the job market to baby boomers and grandparents worried about health care, retirement, and employment. And whether your stress manifests itself in the form of panic attacks, chronic anxiety, headaches, loss of sleep, or just general irritation, losing control of your ability to think clearly and rationally can greatly impact your health and your relationships. Long-term effects of stress may include built-up tension in your body, overeating which can lead to high levels of cholesterol and obesity, sleep disorders, depression, indigestion, anger issues, and other conditions. To prevent developing such health issues, you need to actively monitor your stress levels day by day.

First, identify what major problems are causing you stress: unhappiness at work, in a relationship, planning for an upcoming trip, or perhaps finding care for a parent or other relative. You won’t be able to solve these problems right away, but mapping out a general plan will help you feel better organized and more optimistic about tackling the issue, feelings which help you regain control and can greatly reduce your stress levels. Every time you start to feel stressed or anxious about that problem, take a look at your to-do list, journal, or plan to transition your mind from feeling frustrated to thinking rationally.

For smaller situations that can still result in panic attacks or long-term stress, try to close your eyes and breathe deeply for even 2-3 minutes. Remove yourself from the situation and think of a place, person or quote that makes you feel in control and relaxed. Other simple exercises to try:

• Immediately put things in perspective: How serious is the problem in the long-term? Will you still be thinking about it in a few hours, a few weeks or a few months? Gauge your reaction accordingly.
• Go for a walk: A regular exercise routine will help you lower stress in the long-term, but a short, brisk walk can cool you down for the moment, too.
• Stretch: Close your eyes and do head rolls, moving your shoulders up and down, too, to relieve tension.
• Clean up: Clutter can spike stress levels, and doing a quick clean-up is an instant fix to feeling overwhelmed.
• Cross something off your to-do list or calendar: If you’re seriously stressed because of taking on too many commitments, find a little personal time by crossing off a task or appointment that you can easily, reasonably delegate to someone else.

The ability to retain information is a skill that benefits all students. However, not all students are created equal when it comes to this crucial aspect of learning. Most college students are taking four or five classes a semester. Tack on all the reading that accompanies these classes and you may have visions of a system overload. It is true that the brain can only hold so much information. Therefore, the key is to hone your retention skills to ensure that you remember crucial information to make the connections your professors are expecting of you.

Organization is the key to strengthening your retention skills. It is human nature to encounter a new fact or concept and then decide whether you should hold onto it or cast it aside. If you determine it is important, then you need a place to put it. Consider a scenario where you are reading in a textbook. The chapters are typically broken up into broad sections which are then broken up again into smaller subsections. Your brain can work the same way. The ability to compartmentalize information will make it easier to retrieve information in the future.

Students have the tendency to freak out at the end of a semester when the exam period begins. They look at their calendar and realize they have to study for five exams that are being given over a period of just a week. How in the world are they going to recall information that was covered in the beginning of the semester for all these different classes? While you will most definitely review material spanning the semester while studying for an exam, you should also review material soon after you first encounter it. A responsible way to do this is to spend an hour reviewing class notes, important sections from the reading, and handouts that have been covered during the past week. Take some time each Sunday to review what happened the week before. This repetition will help you retain information throughout the semester.

It is very difficult for the brain to recall information that stands alone. In other words, try to make associations between new material and other information you already have learned. Do some outside research along with the assigned reading if you feel completely unfamiliar with the material. Stocking your brain with more information will help you make the connections that will help you retain this foreign subject matter.

According to the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five high school students report that they have taken a prescription drug, such as OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, Adderall, Ritalin, or Xanax, without a doctor’s prescription. It is a common misconception among high school students that prescription drugs are safer to take than illegal drugs. But both can cause adverse reactions and addiction. It is not uncommon for addictions to develop with regular use of drugs like narcotic painkillers, stimulants, sedatives, and tranquilizers.

Of the students who reported abusing prescription drugs, 23 percent were white, 17 percent Hispanic, and 12 percent black. While there was no overall difference in gender – both male and female equaled 20 percent – more white female students (23 percent) abused prescription drugs than Hispanic females (16.6 percent) and black females (10.3 percent). Prescription drug abuse was also higher among white males (22.8 percent) than Hispanic (17.8 percent) and black males (13.3 percent). Prescription drug abuse was the highest among seniors, at 26 percent, and the lowest among freshmen, at 15 percent, with 22.7 percent of 11th grade students and 18.2 percent of 10th grade students reporting use. High school students were also asked about steroid use, and 3.3 percent of them said that they had taken steroid pills or shots without a doctor’s prescription at one or more times in their life. Overall, the prevalence of steroid use was higher among males (4.3 percent) than females (2.2 percent).

Along with prescription drugs abuse, students also reported the use of illegal drugs. Of the 36.8 percent of students who reported using marijuana more than once during their life, 20.8 percent had used it one or more times during the 30 days before they took the survey. Methamphetamine use, also called “speed," “crystal," “crank," or “ice,” was reportedly used by 4.1 percent of students one or more times in their lives. Eight percent of students reported using hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD, acid, PCP, angel dust, mescaline, or mushrooms, one or more times during their life. Any form of cocaine, such as powder, crack, or freebase, was reportedly used by 6.4 percent of students at least once in their life, and within the month before they took the survey, 2.8 percent of students said they had used some form of cocaine.