Encourage an aging relative to get help by calling one of these free quit smoking lines:

American Cancer Society: 1-800-QUIT-NOWNational Cancer Institute: 1-877-44U-QUIT

4. Reduce financial stressMany seniors experience financial stress due to money management issues. Psychological stress can affect the immune system, the body's defense against infection and disease including cancer.

Here's how to help aging relatives cope with financial stress:

Offer advice. Work with them to set a budget and payment system for bills. Suggest working with the bank to set up automatic bill payment to relieve some of the financial responsibility.

Look into the "representative payee" alternative. If they receive income from Social Security, the Social Security Administration can appoint a representative payee to receive the monthly checks and use the money to pay for living expenses.

5. Encourage regular check-ups and screening examsCancer screening exams help find cancer at its earliest stage, when the chances for curing the disease are greatest.

Learn what screening exams aging relatives should be getting and make sure they schedule their appointments on time.

"It's important to take an active role in keeping your senior family members healthy," Bevers said.

SOURCE The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center