The American cancer society says about a third of people develop cancer. By 2018, the United States is expected to have about 1.7 million new cancer patients, and about 609,640 americans will die from the disease.
About 33 percent to 50 percent of cancers can be prevented by lifestyle changes, according to the world wide web MD. Similarly, recent statistics from cancer research in the UK suggest that almost 40 per cent of cancer is preventable in the UK, mainly through lifestyle changes.
While many of these may be common sense, research has found that not everyone is aware of the link between cancer and everyday behavior. According to the British cancer research, for example, 15 out of 20 people do not know that obesity is linked to cancer, and 18 out of 20 do not know that alcohol is linked to cancer.
Suggestions to help prevent cancer are as follows:
To give up smoking
Smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer, including lung, laryngeal, oral, esophageal, laryngeal, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreatic, colon and rectal cancer, and cervical cancer. Chewing tobacco can lead to oral cancer, esophageal cancer and pancreatic cancer. Even if you don’t smoke, exposure to secondhand smoke increases your risk of lung cancer.
The national cancer institute says there is no safe level of tobacco use. People who quit smoking, regardless of age, have significantly higher life expectancy than smokers.
A healthy diet
Enrich your diet. The harvard school of medicine reports that eating less red meat and saturated fat increases the risk of colon and prostate cancer. Cut back on barbecued, Fried and processed meats such as hot dogs, bacon, sausages and some deli meats. A report by the international agency for research on cancer shows that eating large amounts of processed meat increases the risk of cancer. Instead, eat more fruit, vegetables and whole grains. A harvard study in 2018 found that women who ate at least 154 grams of fruit and vegetables a day had a lower risk of breast cancer than women who ate only 70 grams. Several large studies have also found that a high-fiber diet is thought to help prevent colorectal cancer.
Dinner must not be late
A 2018 study found that people who ate dinner after 10 p.m., or less than two hours before bedtime, were more likely to develop breast or prostate cancer. “Breast and prostate cancer are the two cancers most closely associated with night shift work and circadian rhythm disorders,” Manolis Kogevinas, a research professor at the Barcelona global health institute and lead author of the new paper, told popular science.
The study also found that people who eat dinner early also have other lifestyle factors that can help prevent cancer, such as a healthy diet, and adequate sleep and exercise.
Maintain a healthy weight
People who are overweight are much more likely to develop cancer, such as breast cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer. As the world wide web MD points out, people with excess fat around their waistlines have a higher risk of cancer than those with excess fat around their hips or thighs.
Keep moving
Exercise not only keeps the body healthy overall, but also reduces the risk of several cancers, including colon, breast, endometrial and prostate.
According to the centers for disease control and prevention, adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week, or 75 minutes of high intensity aerobic exercise.
Pay attention to prevent bask in
Skin cancer is common, but mostly preventable. Avoid the sun as much as possible, especially during peak hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. When you’re outside, remember to beat sun-protective clothing such as long sleeves, trousers, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. Use a broad-spectrum SPF30 or higher and reapply it regularly, even on cloudy days. Stay away from tanning booths and sunlamps, as they also emit ultraviolet radiation, causing skin damage.
Drink sparingly
Drink one (female) or two (male) drinks a day. Drinking alcohol increases your risk of oral, laryngeal, esophageal, laryngeal, liver and breast cancer. All types of alcohol (wine, beer and liquor) increase the risk of cancer. People who use alcohol and tobacco together have a higher risk of some cancers.
Take safe sex
Use condoms and talk to your partner about their sexual history. This helps prevent HPV, a sexually transmitted infection that causes cervical cancer in women but also reduces the risk of several other cancers. Safe sex can also prevent HIV infection.
Beware of exposure to toxins
There are chemicals and other toxins in the polluted environment, which can increase the risk of cancer. These include asbestos, benzene, radon and unsafe drinking water contaminated with pesticides or industrial waste water.
Regular inspection
See your doctor regularly and make sure you get all the recommended cancer screening tests, such as mammograms for breast cancer and colonoscopies for colon cancer.
