Raising children to be as healthy as possible is a paramount concern of most parents, so it is only natural to want to protect your child from the possible threat of cancer. While the causes of cancer in children are not quite the same as in adults, the same prevention methods apply. Teaching your children healthy habits can help keep them as cancer-free as possible throughout the course of their lives.

Cancer

• Cancer is a term referring to any malignant growth within the body. "Malignant" means any group of cells that, if left unchecked will spread throughout the body causing the cessation of vital functions. General symptoms of cancer include chills, fever, night sweating, weight loss or overall feelings of malaise (that something is amiss).

• According to the site kidshealth.org, the causes of cancer in children are not always the same as the causes of cancer in adults. Whereas cancer in adults often occurs due to exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), cancer in children occurs mainly due to basic and unprovoked errors in growing cells. The most common cancers in children are brain cancer, lymphoma and leukemia.

• According to the American Cancer Society, diet is one important tool that you can use to stay cancer-free. Feed your children a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables while minimizing their consumption of junk food such as processed items, sugars or refined flour. Additionally, limit their intake of dietary fats to no more than 30 percent of total daily calories, keeping their consumption of saturated fats relegated to no more than 10 percent of this amount.

• Maintaining a healthy body weight also can help insulate your children against cancer. Thus, ensure that they get regular exercise--at least a half hour per day, with more being optimal. While many children need no incentive to exercise, if your child is a couch potato, you might consider instituting an hour or two per day of "lights out" time, disconnecting the television and computer and "forcing" them to have fun outdoors.

• Beyond diet and exercise, teaching your children healthy habits will help to ensure that they are not unduly exposed to the risk of cancer as they grow older. Thus, be sure to set a good example and preach about the dangers of smoking and the necessity of modulating alcohol intake. Making the effort to be the best role model of healthy living while children are still young and impressionable can help you protect them for life.