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Are you finding ways to reduce your cancer risk? Cancer research has made remarkable strides, leading to advanced treatments and early diagnosis methods that significantly improve outcomes. Detecting cancer in its early stages often makes it more manageable and less harmful, highlighting the importance of regular check-ups and awareness. For the same, scientists are trying to use our genes and their expression patterns to detect cancer earlier.
Now, when we say you can prevent yourself from cancer, we only mean reduce your exposure to certain carcinogens (factors that cause cancer in the first place) around you. Although some cancers are influenced by factors beyond our control, taking proactive steps in our daily lives can help mitigate risks and promote better health.
Let’s highlight a few ways you can possibly reduce your exposure to carcinogens around you.
Ways To Reduce Your Cancer Risk
According to the National Cancer Institute, 2 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2023. But you don’t need to panic as research shows that more than 49% of these cases and half of the deaths can be linked to preventable causes.
1. Tobacco is the most familiar carcinogen around you!
- Eating tobacco in any form is linked to several types of cancer such as lung, mouth, and throat cancer.
- Smoking is linked to mouth, lung, throat, voice box, and other cancers like bladder and cervix.
- Chewing Tobacco is a major risk factor for mouth, throat, and pancreatic cancer.
- If you are having difficulty quitting tobacco, seek help from your healthcare providers they geenrally provude you with quitting methods and products.
2. Your weight may be more important than you think.
Cancer cells are hungry, always. And they love feeding on sugar and fat. Maintaining a healthy weight might be the best way you can combat cancer. The vice versa is not true. An individual may still be exposed to other carcinogens and develop cancer. Being at a healthy weight and staying active reduces the risk of several cancers such as breast, colon, and lung.
Daily exercise improves mood, boosts energy, and promotes better sleep. Indulge in at least 30 minutes of exercise 5-6 days a week to maintain overall health. This might be one of the safest ways to reduce your cancer risk.
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3. A Healthy diet is everything.
No type of food group can prevent or cure cancer but eating meals rich with certain vitamins, and minerals specifically vegetables, whole grains, and fruits helps reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases. It is recommended to eat more plant-based low in calories, and sugar-free food. Limit alcohol consumption and avoid processed meats.
Too much alcohol increases the risk of cancers such as colon, breast, lung, liver, and kidney. A healthy meal should include extra virgin oil, mixed nuts, and plant-based meals to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
4. Protect Yourself From The Sun (The UV rays damage your DNA)
Skin cancer is one of the most common type of cancers in the United States it is also the most easily preventable. While only sun exposure not only causes skin cancer but there are other causes too such as UV radiation exposure from tanning beds and the instruments.
Increasing age, family history and several other genetic factors also increases the risk of skin cancer.
Wear shades, and a hat, and wear full clothes if possible. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is one way to reduce cancer risk. Also, exposure to chemicals like asbestos and benzene increases the risk of cancer. Only undergo necessary imaging to avoid excess radiation exposure.
5. Take care of your sexual health.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases such as HPV, hepatitis, and HIV can be a reason for several cancers. To prevent cancer, practice safe sex and do not ever share needles with anyone. If you struggle with drug use please contact your health care provider and get the necessary help needed.
6. Get Vaccinated (as needed)
Hepatitis B and HPV can lead to several cancers such as liver and cervical cancers. Hepatitis B can be caused in people who have several intimate partners and it can also increase the risk of liver cancer. Getting vaccinated is the sure-shot precaution you can take against several types of diseases that are at high risk of causing these cancers. Vaccination is recommended for kids ages 11-12 and can be given to people up to age 45.
Now, let’s debunk some myths about cancer.
Cancer is a very misunderstood disease and despite the advancement in medical research, there are still some myths regarding this disease. Myths always cause unnecessary fear and poor decision making which can even be harmful for the patient. If the right information is known at the right time early diagnosis of cancer is possible which can even be preventable. About 39.5% of people around the United States suffer from cancer within their lifetime.
1. Cancer is Fatal
Cancer does not always cause death and due to the advancement in medical research recovery rate is also increasing. According to the National Cancer InstituteTrusted Source:
“In the United States, the likelihood of dying from cancer has dropped steadily since the 1990s. Now, 5-year survival rates for some cancers, such as breast, prostate, and thyroid cancers, are 90% or better. The 5-year survival rate for all cancers combined is currently about 67%.”
It is worth noting that some cancers causes more deaths then the others.
2. Cancer is contagious
This is one of the biggest myths around cancer. You cannot get the disease if you spend time with people having cancer and your loved ones need your time the most during these tough times. It is worth noting that some STDs such as HPV, hepatitis B, and C can cause several cancers like cancer of cervix and liver. Hepatitis B or C can be caused due to sexual intercourse or use of infected IV needles.
3. If you have cancer, do not eat sugar
Research has shown that sugar is not a direct cause of cancer, while it is a known fact that cancer cells utilize glucose for energy this does not mean that eating sugar directly fuels cancer growth.
Sugar is not a carcinogen although consuming sugar in moderation is recommended as it can lead to increased risk of obesity and diabetes which is linked with a high risk of cancer.
4. Herbal medicines can cure cancer
Research as shown no evidence that herbal medicines reduce the risk of cancer or cure cancer. Although alternative therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, and yoga have shown positive impact on cancer side effects and cancer treatment. If you or someone you know is suffering from cancer then it is important to talk to your doctor about supplements and vitamins before taking them.
Regular check-ups and awareness can lead to early diagnosis, making cancer more manageable and increasing survival rates. A healthy lifestyle including eating a balanced diet, protection from the sun, and avoiding environmental toxins are some ways to reduce your cancer risk and note, it is important to separate myths from facts.
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