Advice On Cutting Your Cancer Risk
posted on 05/26/2009
Cancer Affects Everyone
Almost everyone has affected by cancer. We either know someone who was diagnosed with cancer or have read about someone diagnosed with cancer. Perhaps we've been a cancer patient ourselves ... or someone in our family. Although cancer seems to be capricious at times, striking those with seemingly healthy lifestyles, the American Cancer Society says that half of all cancer deaths could be prevented if people practiced healthier lifestyle habits. So here are some suggestions to help you get started cutting your own cancer risk.
Eat more fruits and veggies: Research shows that people whose diets are high in fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of developing esophageal, colon and lung cancer. Aim to eat five or more servings daily.
Limit your intake of red and processed meat. Have no more than three ounces a day. Research shows that women who consumed two ounces of red meat daily boosted their chance of developing colon and rectal cancer by 30 to 40 percent, and their risk of breast cancer by 56 percent.
If you smoke, stop now. If you don't smoke, don't start. Hands down, smoking is the number one cause of preventable cancer deaths.
Control your weight. Overweight individuals have a higher chance of getting cancer than those of normal weight individuals, which is repeatedly confirmed in studies. This is the time to shed those extra pounds.
Avoid the sun. Although the sun is beneficial, especially those Vitamin D-filled rays, too much sun causes cumulative damage to your skin, making you a candidate for skin cancer. Limit your exposure to the sun and always wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15.
Limit alcohol. Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can significantly increase your risk for getting several types of cancer, including breast cancer. One to two drinks a day can increase your risk by 32 percent; three drinks a day increases it to 51 percent.
Increase your exercise. This goes hand in hand with a healthy diet and controlling your weight. A moderate amount of exercise can boost the immune system and lower your cancer risk.
Get enough sleep. Although the ideal is to aim towards eight hours of sleep a night, getting at least seven hours of sleep is essential for the body to rest and repair itself. If you have a hard time falling asleep, try a glass of warm milk, a soothing bath or reading.
Avoid chemicals and radiation. Limit your exposure to cleaning solutions, diesel fuel and formaldehyde. Cut back on x-rays and radiation, if you get them for medical reasons. Ask your doctor if sonograms can be used instead.
Visit your doctor regularly for screening exams. Make it a point to have an annual physical and discuss any necessary screenings. Women should get regular pap tests and mammograms. Everyone over 50 should get a colonoscopy. Be sure to ask your doctor for any other tests that might prove helpful, so you can stay on top of your health situation.
Unfortunately, there's no crystal ball when it comes to predicting who may get cancer. Even if you follow every guideline, there is still a chance you may be diagnosed with the disease. However, anything you can do to cut down your chances of getting cancer is a positive step. So make some changes today ... for yourself and those you love!
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tcollins says:
(179d 10h 11min ago)
Good article. Getting a healthy amount of sleep is overlooked so much these days. Recent studies have shown that melatonin is helpful in both fighting and preventing cancer. Melatonin is a hormone that is produced in your brain as you sleep. So if you aren't getting enough sleep you are not producing enough melatonin.
Also, in addition to processed meats I would say avoid all processed foods in general. If you can't pronounce the ingredients its probably not helping your body any.