Tanning bed use increases risk of early-onset basal cell carcinoma.

During the past 40 years the incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has risen markedly, especially in women under 40 years of age. This rise conincides with the increasing use of public tanning beds for cosmetic purposes. Estimates suggest that 40% of teens use a tanning bed regularly. In the first case-control study to examine BCC in those under 40, researchers found that tanning bed users were nearly 4 times as likely to have BCCs on the extremities and nearly 2 times on the trunk, compared to never-users. The risk grew stronger with more years of use.

PositiveTip: Ever used tanning beds? Be sure to have regular examinations for BCCs and melanomas.

Owning a car and TV may raise your risk of a heart attack.

Leisure time and on-the-job physical activity is associated with less likelihood of a hearrt attack. A 52 country case-control study involving more than 10,000 individuals has revealed, after controlling for confounding factors, that both light and moderate activity reduced the risk of acute mycardial infarction (MI) compared to sedentary individuals. Researchers also found that owning a car, a radio/stero and a TV were associated with higher MI rates.

PostiveTip: Put a stop to sedentary living--become active and avoid the coronary care unit!

Hypertension is the strongest predictor of stroke risk.

The third most common killer in the U.S. is stroke. The Interstroke study of stroke cases in 22 countries ranked the most common risk factors as follows:

1. Hypertension
2. Smoking
3. Abdominal obesity
4. Healthy diet and physical activity.

A history of high blood pressure increased the risk by 2.5 times, and smoking by more than double. Regular exercise cut stroke by more than 30%.

PositiveTip: All these risk factors are related to positive lifestyle choices. What choices are you making?