Colleen Hoover’s Diagnosis and Four Lifestyle Tips for Reducing Cancer-Risk

Bestselling author Colleen Hoover, known for It Ends With Us, shared that she’s nearly finished with radiation treatment after surgery for a cancer diagnosis. While she didn’t share the specific cancer type, she shared that long-term lifestyle habits may have contributed to her illness.

Every person’s cancer risk is different and influenced by genetics, environment, and chance. Strong evidence shows that lifestyle choices influence cancer risk and overall longevity. The American Cancer Society estimates that a portion of cancers are preventable through healthy behaviors and appropriate screening.

Cancer Prevention Tips

1. Eat foods that are good for your cells
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats gives your body nutrients that support immune function, metabolic health, and DNA repair.

Limiting ultra-processed foods, sugary beverages, excess alcohol, and processed or charred meats may lower cancer risk. Keeping a stable blood sugar and a healthy weight also reduces inflammation and hormonal drivers linked to several cancers.

2. Move daily to support immune health
Regular movement lowers inflammation, strengthens immune response, and supports hormonal balance.

Consistent and average movement like walking, cycling, strength training, or stair climbing is beneficial. The goal is consistency, not perfection.

3. Use preventive care and early detection
Many cancers are more treatable when identified early, sometimes even before symptoms appear. Annual physical exams give your doctor a chance to track trends in blood work, weight, blood pressure, and metabolic health over time.

Age and risk-appropriate screenings like a colonoscopy, mammogram, cervical screening, lung cancer screening, and prostate test are crucial. For some higher-risk people, physicians may recommend specific monitoring or advanced tests. Early detection isn’t just about finding cancer, it’s about identifying risk patterns years before disease develops.

4. Protect sleep, mental health, and regulate stress
Serious stress, sleep disruption, and burnout negatively affect immune regulation, metabolic health, inflammation, and decision-making around nutrition and exercise.

Prioritizing consistent sleep, physical recovery, social connection, time outdoors, and stress management practices improves resilience and supports long-term disease prevention.

Jackson Medical Group has primary care physicians available for annual physicals. To make an appointment with one of our doctors, please click here or call 305-585-4564.

EsoJleahpaR, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons