Cancer is something that we all fear, and it’s only natural to want to do everything in our power to prevent cancer from happening. But what can you actually do? There are many things that you can do to help reduce your risk of developing cancer, the most important being preventive measures such as not smoking or drinking excessively. In this blog post, we will discuss some useful tips for preventing cancer!
Stop Smoking!
This is perhaps the most important thing that you can do to reduce your risk of cancer. Tobacco smoke contains over 7000 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer when they come in contact with human cells. Smoking causes damage to almost every organ system in the body and significantly increases your chance of developing lung disease or cancers such as:
- oral cavity cancer
- esophageal cancer
- stomach cancer
- bladder cancer
- pancreatic cancer
- cervical dysplasia (cell changes within cervix)
- gastric polyps (small growths on lining wall)
- colon polyps (growth/pockets in colon walls)
- uterine fibroids (non-cancerous tumors inside the uterus)
- ovarian cysts(fluid-filled sac surrounding ovaries)
- cervical dysplasia (cell changes within cervix)
- pancreatic cancer and bladder cancer.
Wear Sunscreen
Sunscreen is arguably the best way to prevent skin cancer. The sun emits harmful UV radiation that damages our DNA, but there are many kinds of sunscreen lotions available to protect you from this damage! Look for a broad-spectrum product with an SPF rating between 15 and 50+ at least two hours before going outside in order to get adequate protection against both UVA (longer waves responsible for aging effects) and UVB (shorter rays responsible for burning). Apply it generously every three hours while outdoors or even use protective clothing if possible.
Eat Your Veggies
Vegetables are a great source of vitamins and minerals which you need to fight off the harmful free radicals that cause cancer. The most beneficial vegetables for preventing cancers include broccoli, kale, collards, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts & turnips. These veggies contain high amounts of antioxidants such as vitamin A (beta-carotene) or Vitamin C. These protect our bodies from the damage caused by substances known as carcinogens.
Exercise Regularly
Engaging in regular physical activity reduces your risk of developing certain types of cancers including breast cancer and colon cancer. It can also help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease! Start with things like walking around the park every day or taking up running on weekends. As you get more comfortable with it, try adding weights to your routine or starting a new sport such as tennis.
Limit Red Meat Consumption
There is a popular belief that red meat causes cancer. Although there isn’t enough research to support this, limiting your consumption of red meats like beef and pork can reduce the risk of colorectal (bowel) cancer. Try eating more poultry or fish instead, particularly those high in omega-three fatty acids which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties!
Don’t Forget Your Milk
Calcium daily intake is important for both men and women. Calcium helps prevent the growth of carcinogens in our body by maintaining healthy levels of estrogen which can activate cancer cells if they become too high. Aim to drink at least one glass per day but make sure it’s low-fat milk (less sugar) or an alternative like almond milk.