Once again, headlines proclaim a "shocking finding" that makes us nuts. This week's 72-point headline goof? "Nearly Two-Thirds of Cancers Are Caused By DNA Mistakes."

That proclamation makes it seem like no matter what smart lifestyle choices you make, you can't dodge the big C. That's just wrong. And the research those headlines are based on doesn't agree either.

Johns Hopkins researchers found that the majority of cancers of the pancreas, brain, bone, or prostate are attributable to random and unpredictable genetic mutations.

However, they also found that somewhere around 29 percent of all cancers are triggered by environment and/or lifestyle choices (and those cancers often are among the most prevalent), and just 5 percent by inherited genetic traits.

Furthermore, they state, "Deleterious environmental ... factors ... can directly increase the mutation rate."

From other studies, it's well-established that obesity is associated with an increased risk of cancer of the kidney, gallbladder, endometrium, ovaries, thyroid, liver, and colon.

For example, overweight women are two to four times more likely to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

Your power over cancer lies in avoiding toxins (tobacco is the most common one, but BPA, BPS, and phthalates also are common); making smart food choices; exercising physical activity (10,000 steps a day or the equivalent); getting seven to eight hours of sleep nightly; and stress-response reduction.

That's the formula for a long, healthy life — and it's in your control.