The document provides tips for preventing cancer through lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, wearing sunscreen, getting vaccinated, and getting routine cancer screenings. Adopting several of these behaviors can significantly reduce cancer risks by avoiding exposure to carcinogens and maintaining a healthy weight. The document also advises being aware of family cancer histories and limiting alcohol intake, processed meats, and hormone replacement therapy due to potential cancer links.
1 of 16
More Related Content
What you can do to prevent cancer and why it works
1. DR.KAMALJIT SINGH
M.D., PhD
F.R.H.S (London), MWSAM (USA)
Chief Consultant
Dr. Kamal Bio-Magnetic Holistic Health Centre
www.drkamalholistic.com
Email: info@drkamalholistic.com
Mobile: (+66) 0869032543
2. What You Can Do to Prevent Cancer and Why It Works
Ditch the Smokes
Every puff of tobacco is packed
with 250 harmful chemicals.
Nearly 70 of them cause cancer.
And it's more than just lung
cancer. Cigarettes are linked to 12
other kinds, including stomach,
bladder, kidney, mouth, and
throat. The sooner you stop, the
better. Ask your doctor for advice
on quit-smoking methods.
3. Eat More Broccoli
Fruits and veggies pack an anti-
cancer punch because they're
high in nutrients and fiber, and
low in fat. Try broccoli, Brussels
sprouts, cabbage, kale,
watercress, or other cruciferous
vegetables. They protect against
DNA damage that can turn cells
cancerous. Or eat colorful berries.
Studies show they have cancer-
fighting chemicals that ward off
damage to cells.
4. Trim a Few Pounds
Extra weight around your middle
could add up to a greater chance
of having cancer, especially of the
breast, colon, uterus, pancreas,
esophagus, and gallbladder.
Researchers say one reason may
be that fat cells release
substances that encourage cancer
cells to grow.
5. Go Easy on Alcohol
Tip back too many martinis each
day, and your odds of cancer go
up. Alcohol is linked to cancers of
the mouth, breast, liver,
esophagus, and others. The more
you drink, the higher your risk. If
you drink, do it in moderation.
Women should stick to one drink
a day, men up to two.
6. Cut Back on Hot Dogs
Think twice before you throw
some on the grill. Studies show
that processed meats, like hot
dogs, bacon, and sausage, have
chemicals called nitrites and
nitrates that may be linked to
cancer. And research suggests too
much red meat like steak and
burgers could be a long-term risk
for colorectal cancer. Choose safer
alternatives for your backyard
cookout, like chicken breast or fish
7. Get Off the Couch
Do you spend too much time
lounging around? Cancer
prevention is one more reason to
get moving. Exercise fights obesity
and lowers levels of hormones like
estrogen and insulin, which have
been linked to cancer. Aim for 30
minutes of aerobic exercise -- the
kind that gets your heart pumping
-- on most days of the week.
8. Put on Sunscreen
Baking in the sun might give you a
healthy-looking glow, but under the
surface, UV rays cause skin damage
that could lead to cancer. Because
you can burn in just 15 minutes, rub
on sunscreen before you go outside.
Pick a broad-spectrum product with
an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply
whenever you sweat or swim. And
when you're out in the sun, wear a
wide-brimmed hat and wraparound
sunglasses.
9. Practice Safer Sex
Sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs) aren't your only worry
during unprotected sex. Some of
these infections also increase your
odds of having cancer. About 70%
of cervical cancers start with
human papillomavirus (HPV) types
16 and 18. Some types of hepatitis
can cause liver cancer. To stay
safe, use a latex condom every
time you have sex.
10. Get Vaccinated
When it comes to vaccines, think
beyond your annual flu shot.
Some can protect against cancer,
too. Certain HPV vaccines prevent
cancers of the cervix, vulva,
vagina, and anus. The time to get
vaccinated is between ages 9 and
26. The hepatitis B vaccine wards
off the virus that causes liver
cancer. It's part of the childhood
vaccination schedule
11. Avoid Toxic Chemicals
Chemicals called carcinogens
damage DNA in your cells and raise
your chance of having cancer if you
touch, eat, or breathe them in.
Asbestos, radon, and benzene are a
few that some people come into
contact with at work or home.
Chemicals in weedkillers, plastics,
and some home products may also
be risky. You can't avoid every
chemical, but know which ones are
in products you use and switch to
safer options if you can.
12. Know Your Family History
You inherited more than your
mother's eyes or your father's grin.
They may also have shared their
chances for having diseases like
cancer. Some genes that parents
pass down to their kids have flaws.
They don't repair damaged DNA the
way they should, which lets cells turn
into cancer. Learn about your
family's medical history and ask your
doctor if a genetic test is a good idea
for you.
13. Stay Up to Date With Screenings
Screening tests catch cancer early --
sometimes even before it starts. A
colonoscopy often finds polyps in the
colon and rectum before they turn
into cancer. The Pap test locates pre-
cancerous and cancerous cells in a
woman's cervix. Mammograms and
low-dose computed tomography
(LDCT) look for early breast and lung
cancers. Ask your doctor when to
start getting these tests, and how
often you need them.
14. Take Meds if You Need Them
Some drugs lower your odds of
getting certain cancers. Tamoxifen
(Nolvadex, Soltamox) and
raloxifene (Evista) can reduce
breast cancer risk but may have
serious side effects. Aspirin may
protect against colorectal and
prostate cancers. Be wary, though,
of supplements that promise to
keep you cancer-free. Many
haven't been proven, and some
have side effects.
15. Be Cautious About Hormone Therapy
It can ease menopause symptoms
like hot flashes and fatigue, and
protect your bones. But hormone
therapy may raise your chances of
breast cancer and make cancer
harder to detect. Ask your doctor
about your risks before you try
this treatment.