In the U.S., 4 out of 10 cancer cases are associated with preventable risk factors. That's according to the latest Cancer Progress Report from the American Association for Cancer Research. February is National Cancer Prevention Month and it's never too late to make lifestyle changes that can decrease your risk of cancer.

What do tobacco, alcohol and obesity have in common? They can all increase your risk of developing cancer. Smoked tobacco is strongly linked to cancer in almost every part of the body.

Smoked tobacco produces about 7,000 chemicals, and when you inhale those chemicals in your body, they cause alterations in cells. And it's those alterations in cells that can lead to cancer.

Smoking also weakens your immune system, making it harder to fight cancer cells. One of the best ways to lower your cancer risk is to not use any kind of tobacco.

We always say it's never too late to stop smoking. And the risk for cancer after quitting cigarette smoking, for example, goes down. But it takes some time.

Consuming alcohol increases your risk of breast, head and neck, esophageal, and colorectal cancers.

At every level of alcohol consumption, there is cancer risk, but heavier drinkers have higher cancer risk than lighter drinkers.

Finally, packing on extra pounds can increase your risk of cancer in several ways.

Excess body weight increases estrogen and insulin, which can increase the rate of cellular division, which can increase the risk for cancer. But also, excess body weight is associated with inflammation, and inflammation is a known risk factor for the development of cancer.

A healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, provides essential nutrients and antioxidants that guard against cancer. Cutting out processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive red meat is crucial. Regular physical activity, with at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, lowers the risk of various cancers, including breast, colon, and lung cancer.

Bariatric surgery has been shown to decrease risk of hormone-related cancers such as breast, endometrial and prostate, as well as pancreatic and colorectal cancers. However, there are less drastic steps people can take.

Small sustainable steps toward weight loss are the most effective when we think about diet and exercise. Those are the classic approaches, but also there are new medications on the market that can help people lose weight.