Half of men and one-third of women in the U.S. will get cancer at some point. But only about 1 in 20 cases is linked to genes from parents.

The bottom line: Doctors aren't sure why some people get cancer and others don't. It's not just about your genes.

Drinking alcohol may make you more likely to get mouth, liver, colon, breast, and other cancers. It doesn't matter if you prefer beer, wine, or liquor. It's how much you drink that counts. The more you drink, the higher the risk.

If you drink, limit yourself to two drinks a day if you're a man and one a day if you're a woman.

There's no evidence that the sweeteners in those little pink, blue, yellow, or green packets cause cancer. Studies don't show a link between aspartame (blue), saccharin (pink), or sucralose (yellow) and cancer in people.

Newer sugar substitutes, such as sorbitol and stevia (green), also appear to be safe.

It's safe to use antiperspirant or deodorant.

There are no strong studies and very little evidence to show that you have a greater chance of getting breast cancer if you use antiperspirants.

People who eat a lot of processed meats, such as hot dogs and lunchmeat, are more likely to get colon cancer. The link isn't completely clear, but it might be because of nitrites. Those are chemicals added to food to stop bacteria and preserve color.

Red meat also is linked to colon cancer. In general, limit the amount of red meat you eat. Instead choose other sources of protein, such as chicken, fish, or beans.

Acupuncture can help with nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. It can also help people who have mouth dryness from radiation therapy.

If you are being treated for cancer and want to try acupuncture, let your doctor know.

During a biopsy, a doctor takes a small sample of tissue from your body to check it for cancer. With most cancers, it's very unlikely that this procedure will cause cancer to spread.

Exercise, along with healthy eating and managing your weight, can make you less likely to get certain cancers, including breast and colon cancer.

Still, even if you are active, get any routine cancer screenings that your doctor recommends.