Nearly 4 out of 10 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and it remains the second-leading cause of death for Americans, but nearly half of all cancer cases can be prevented.

Research from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) shows that diet, exercise and weight play a critical role in cancer prevention.

“Making changes in what you eat, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight have strong and clear links to your risk for cancer,” said Alice Bender, MS, RDN and director of nutrition programs at AICR. “...there are simple things we can all do to reduce our risk.”

To live a cancer-preventive lifestyle, consider taking these 6 steps:

1. Be a healthy weight. Higher body fat can be a cause of many cancers. Try to stay at a healthy weight and avoid weight gain as you get older.

2. Be physically active. Incorporate moderate physical activity into your daily life through steps like walking more and sitting less.

3. Eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans. Make these foods a major part of your diet.

4. Limit consumption of “fast foods” and other processed foods high in fat, starches or sugars. Cut down on processed foods to help control calorie intake and maintain a healthy weight.

5. Limit consumption of red and processed meat. Eat no more than three portions of red meat per week, and little - if any - processed meat.

6. Limit consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks.

Cancer survivors are encouraged to follow these guidelines as well.