While I often discuss ways to reduce your cancer risk, it's not something we can eliminate altogether, no matter how vigilant we are. There are just too many hereditary and environmental risk factors at play to guarantee a cancer-free life. So it's important that we occasionally discuss strategies for helping to prevent different types of cancer. Fortunately, these strategies are expanding every day, particularly when it comes to more well-known and prevalent tumors, such as breast cancer. 

As we age, our risk of cardiovascular disease increases. In fact, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in elderly people. But ironically, the older people get, the less likely they are to be included in clinical trials investigating ways to prevent cardiovascular disease.

If I were to take a survey of what women’s health issue my readers fear most, the response would probably be breast cancer. That’s why I report on the topic often, and that’s why I’m sure many of you are vigilant about getting mammograms. But while breast cancer can be scary, it’s actually not the number-one killer of women in the U.S. That dubious honor goes to heart disease.