February is Cancer Prevention Month, and this year it comes with an important reminder: prevention isn’t just a concept–it’s a series of meaningful steps we can take today that have power far into the future.
That’s why it was so significant when Dr. Diana Bitner, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of true. Women’s Health, joined FOX 17 Morning News to talk about cancer prevention, screening, and the role each of us can play in protecting our health.
Research shows that around 50% of cancers may be preventable through lifestyle changes and early detection. That means nearly half of cancer risk is not fixed or inevitable–there’s room for influence. And that room is exactly where empowerment lives.
What Is Cancer, Really?
Cancer begins when a cell forgets the rules.
Your body is made up of trillions of cells. Each one has a specific job and clear instructions about when to grow, when to rest, and when to die. Cancer starts when one cell goes rogue. That means:
- It ignores stop signs
- It keeps dividing when it shouldn’t
- It doesn’t die when it’s supposed to
- It can invade nearby tissues or travel to places it doesn’t belong
Thankfully, your body has built-in defense systems: DNA repair, immune surveillance, and programmed cell death. Most of the time, these systems catch mistakes and fix them.
Cancer develops when damage outpaces repair, the immune system misses the problem, or repeated exposures to cancer-causing elements–things like tobacco, excess alcohol, UV light, chronic inflammation, poor sleep, or unmanaged stress–wear the system down.
Prevention matters because it protects both your cells and the systems designed to defend you.
Your Daily Prevention Habits Matter More Than You Think
At true., we often talk about the “SEEDS” of health; the foundational lifestyle habits that support long-term wellness and cancer prevention:
🌱 Sleep – Deep, restorative sleep helps regulate hormones, repair DNA, and keep your immune system strong.
🥗 Eat – A fiber-rich, plant-forward diet supports gut health, lowers inflammation, and helps regulate metabolism.
🏃♀️ Exercise – Regular movement reduces cancer risk by improving insulin sensitivity, lowering inflammation, and supporting immune function.
🧠 De-stress – Chronic stress can suppress immune defenses. Mindfulness, connection, and recovery time are protective.
🚭 Substance awareness – Avoid tobacco, limit alcohol, and protect your skin from excessive sun exposure.
Additional protective steps many people don’t think about:
- HPV vaccination helps prevent cervical and other cancers
- Hepatitis B vaccination lowers liver cancer risk
- Maintaining a healthy weight reduces risk for several cancers
- Strength training supports metabolic health and hormone balance in midlife
These aren’t about perfection–they’re about stacking small protective habits over time.
Screening: Catching Cancer Early Changes Everything
Screening is another powerful tool because finding cancer early can mean simpler treatment, fewer complications, and better outcomes.
Today, we have strong routine screening tests for:
- Breast cancer (mammograms)
- Cervical cancer (Pap and HPV testing)
- Colon cancer (colonoscopy and stool testing)
- Prostate cancer (PSA testing, for men after discussion with their provider)
- Lung cancer (low-dose CT scans for certain current or former smokers)
But there are over 100 types of cancer, and many– including ovarian, pancreatic, esophageal, and some blood cancers–have no routine early screening tests. Risk also rises significantly in midlife and beyond, which is why this stage of life is such an important time to be proactive.
A New Layer of Early Detection: The Galleri® Test
This is where newer tools like the Galleri® multi-cancer early detection test come in.
Galleri is a blood test that looks for tiny fragments of DNA shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream. Using advanced pattern recognition, it can:
- Detect signals from 50+ types of cancer
- Predict a likely tissue of origin
- Potentially identify cancer before symptoms appear
It’s important to know:
- It does not replace mammograms, colonoscopies, Pap tests, PSA tests, or lung screening
- It does not diagnose cancer–it’s an early signal test
- A positive result requires follow-up imaging or testing
Think of Galleri as an additional warning system, not a replacement for proven screenings. You can learn more about Galleri this Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at true. Women’s Health. Sign up for the event here.
Jane’s Story: Peace of Mind Matters Too
Jane learned that many cancers affecting women in midlife don’t have routine screening tests. At her annual visit, we talked about how cancer risk rises during this stage of life.
Jane had recently lost her husband to a sudden heart attack and was now raising three young children on her own. Her biggest goal was simple and heartfelt: stay healthy and present for her kids.
Even without a strong family history, she chose to do the Galleri test. Insurance didn’t cover it yet, but for her, the reassurance was worth it. Her test came back negative, giving her peace of mind that there were no detectable early cancer signals at that time.
That peace of mind? Priceless.
Takeaway Tip
If you’re committed to doing everything you reasonably can to reduce your cancer risk:
✔️ Focus on your SEEDS every day
✔️ Stay up to date on recommended screenings
✔️ Talk with your provider about your personal risk factors
✔️ Ask whether additional tools like Galleri make sense for you
Cancer prevention isn’t about fear. It’s about informed, empowered self-care. Small steps, taken consistently, can protect your future in big ways. And you don’t have to figure it out alone–your healthcare team is here to help you make a plan that fits your life and priorities.