Simple changes that can prevent deadly disease
Cancer is one of the most life-threatening diseases around the world, which causes numerous deaths. According to a report, by 2040, the number of new cancer cases per year is expected to rise to 29.5 million and the number of cancer-related deaths to 16.4 million.
As per the experts, cancer can be caused by bad luck, environment or heredity, but the environment plays a major role in increasing or reducing your chances of getting cancer.
According to a medical survey, certain lifestyle factors like cigarette smoking, eating habits, consuming alcohol, sun exposure, environmental pollutants, infections, stress, obesity, and physical inactivity are the risk factors for cancer.
“The evidence indicates that of all cancer-related deaths, almost 25–30% are due to tobacco, as many as 30–35% are linked to diet, about 15–20% are due to infections, and the remaining percentage is due to other factors like radiation, stress, physical activity, environmental pollutants etc,” the report added.
In a media survey, the senior Director of Surgical Oncology at Fortis Cancer Institute in Bengaluru, Dr Sandeep Nayak said, “Cancer is a disease that has affected humanity for centuries. While advancements in medicine have greatly improved our ability to diagnose and treat it, preventing cancer from occurring in the first place is still the most effective way to combat the disease. While there is no surefire way to prevent cancer, there are certain lifestyle alterations that can greatly reduce your risk.”
Ways to prevent cancer
Listing ways that can help to prevent the deadly disease- Cancer:
Say No to Tobacco
Several types of cancers, including lung, mouth, throat, voice box, pancreas, bladder, cervix, and kidney, have been associated with smoking. Even being around secondhand smoke might increase the risk of lung cancer.
Also, chewing tobacco has been linked to cancer of the mouth, throat and pancreas.
Staying away from tobacco or deciding to stop using it. As it is an important way to help prevent cancer. For help quitting tobacco, ask a healthcare provider about stop-smoking products and other ways of quitting.
Also Read: Know 5 essential nutrients for women in their 40s and beyond!
Switch to a healthy diet
Although eating healthy foods can’t ensure cancer prevention, it might reduce the risk. Consider the following:
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Base your diet on fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources — such as whole grains and beans. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-calorie foods. Limit refined sugars and fat from animal sources.
Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all. Alcohol increases the risk of various types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, kidney and liver. Drinking more increases the risk.
Limit processed meats. Eating processed meat often can slightly increase the risk of certain types of cancer. This news comes from a report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer agency of the World Health Organization.
Be physically active
Being at a healthy weight might lower the risk of some types of cancer. These include cancer of the breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney.
Physical activity counts too. Besides helping control weight, physical activity on its own might lower the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer. Doing any amount of physical activity benefits health. But for the most benefit, strive for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of hard aerobic activity.
Avoid sun exposure
Protection from the sun is essential in preventing skin cancer. To protect yourself, use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, wear protective clothing, and avoid prolonged sun exposure during the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are strongest. Additionally, it is important to be aware of any changes in your skin and to have any suspicious moles or spots checked by a dermatologist.
