February is Cancer Prevention Month, and the American Cancer Society (ACS) is encouraging Mississippians to take a closer look at their personal cancer risk and the steps they can take to reduce it.
The ACS estimates more than 18,000 new cancer cases and over 6,700 cancer-related deaths in Mississippi this year, underscoring the importance of prevention, early detection, and informed health decisions.
Health experts say understanding individual cancer risk factors is a critical first step toward prevention. To help, ACS offers CancerRisk360, an online assessment designed to give people a clearer picture of how genetics, lifestyle choices, and screening habits may influence their risk.
The assessment takes between five and 10 minutes and evaluates four key areas:
- Genetic and hereditary markers
- Family history of cancer
- Adherence to evidence-based cancer screening guidelines
- Daily lifestyle factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, and body weight
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According to ACS, CancerRisk360 is meant to empower individuals with personalized insights and practical next steps, helping people understand where small changes like staying up to date on screenings or adjusting daily habits can make a meaningful difference in prevention and early detection.
Cancer Prevention Month is celebrated nationally and highlights that while not all cancers can be prevented, many risks can be reduced through awareness, healthy choices, and routine screenings.