Seven simple steps that are recommended to reduce the risk of developing heart disease also help to prevent cancer, a new study has found.

The steps, known as Life's Simple 7, are recommended by the American Heart Association. They are:
-Being physically active
-Eating a healthy diet
-Maintaining a healthy weight
-Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
-Avoiding high blood pressure
-Regulating blood sugar levels
-Not smoking.

Doctors followed the progress of over 13,000 people taking part in a study that spanned an average of 20 years. At the end of the study period, almost 3,000 people had developed cancer, mainly of the lungs, colon, breast or prostate.

They found that people who followed six or seven of the steps reduced their risk of developing cancer by 51% compared to people who did not follow any of the steps. People who followed four of the steps reduced their risk by 33%.

Even following just one or two steps reduced the risk of cancer by 21%.

"We were gratified to know adherence to the Life's Simple 7 goals was also associated with reduced incidence of cancer. This can help health professionals provide a clear, consistent message about the most important things people can do to protect their health and lower their overall risk for chronic diseases," commented lead researcher, Dr Laura Rasmussen-Torvik, of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

She noted that when smoking was taken out of the equation, people who followed five or six of the remaining steps still had a 25% reduced risk of developing cancer compared to people who followed none of the steps.

"We're trying to help promote a comprehensive health message. Quitting smoking is very important, but there are other factors you need to be aware of if you want to live a healthy life," Dr Rasmussen-Torvik explained.

She noted that these findings ‘add to the strong body of literature suggesting that it's never too late to change'.

"If you make changes like quitting smoking and improving your diet, you can reduce your risk for both cardiovascular disease and cancer."

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Circulation.

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