McAllen, TX (News Center 23) — February is cancer prevention month and local doctors are happy to announce that because of prevention, nationally cancer deaths are down.

The number of people getting cancer each year is still about the same, but preventative measures are helping patients fight off this potentially deadly disease.

The biggest help with fighting cancer is catching it early.

"We have a very significant chance of curing it with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, what ever methods may be used, if they are used in cases where the cancer has been picked up early the outcome is very significantly different, very significantly favorable, compared to a situation where cancer is picked up late," said Dr. Suresh Ratnam, Texas Oncology.

Doctors said the best ways to prevent cancer are to quit smoking, eat healthy and exercise, protect your skin from the sun, and get regular check ups with your family doctor.

To learn more about prescreening and preventing cancer, visit http://www.texasoncology.com/media-center/fact-sheets/cancer-screening.aspx