Cancer Prevention Tips

Experts estimate that more than 4 in 10 cancer cases could be prevented. A few simple lifestyle changes, can drastically reduce your risk of many types of cancer.  

Avoid Smoking and Exposure to Smoke
Smoking is responsible for many cancers. Second-hand smoking is also dangerous as they contain carcinogens.

Practice Sun Safety and
Recognize When Skin Changes Occur

Skin cancers are the most preventable. Skin cancer is caused by Ultra Violet Rays (UV Rays) from the sun. Wearing sunscreen, avoiding mid-day sun, wearing protective clothing when outdoors, staying away from tanning beds and general protection from direct sun rays will zero any risk of skin cancer.

Eat Fresh Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and vegetables (especially brightly coloured) contain antioxidants, which help repair our damaged cells. Studies show that dark fruits, like blueberries and grapes, may also have anti-cancer properties. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower appear to pack a powerful punch at preventing cancer. Other cruciferous vegetables include bok choy, brussel sprouts, and cabbage.

Limit Red Meat and Animal Fat
Animal fat increases the risk for several types of cancer, particularly colon cancer. Choose fish and poultry over red meat, as they have less fat. Fatty foods also cause obesity, which is a risk factor for many types of cancer too. 

Limit Your Alcohol Intake
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol regularly increases your risk factor for many types of cancer.  Two simple ways include: Alcohol is converted into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde. This chemical can cause cancer by damaging DNA and stopping our cells from repairing this damage. It can damage the cells of the liver, causing a disease called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis makes you more vulnerable to liver cancer.

Exercise for Cancer Prevention
Just 30 minutes of moderate activity a day, five days a week, can have a positive effect on your health. And the more active you are, the more you can reduce your risk of cancer.
One good reason is, the sugar-regulating hormone insulin is known to lead to faster cell growth and division and to increase women's risk of breast cancer recurrence. Exercise lowers levels of this hormone.

Know Your Personal and Family Medical History
Knowing your family history of cancer is important to properly assess your risk factor for certain types of cancer. Cancers like breast, colon, ovarian, and possibly other types can be hereditary. This means it is important to know your family history and tell your doctor if you are in a high-risk family line.

Know What You're Being
Exposed to in Your Work Environment
Chemicals in the workplace may increase your risk of developing many types of cancer, including kidney cancer and bladder cancer. Avoid exposure to fumes, dust, chemicals, Gasoline, diesel exhaust, arsenic, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, and chloromethyl. They are all carcinogens. If your parents work in environments like that, they need to talk to the employer about limiting exposure. 

Be careful about unsafe Sex
Surprised? Unsafe sex can result in the infection of the human papillomairus (HPV), a known cause of cervical cancer and a risk factor for many other types of cancer. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that is spread through sexual, skin-to-skin contact. As a young person, it is important to stay away from early sexual activity until you are mature enough (or married) to do so. This way, you can minimise your exposure to sexually transmitted infections.

Get Screened for Cancer Regularly
Cancer screening tests can be useful not only in detecting cancer but also helping prevent it. Tests like the colonoscopy and Pap smear can detect abnormal cellular changes before they turn cancerous. It is effective when done regularly. 

Other cancer screening tests are available and may be useful for early detection, but not necessarily cancer prevention. Prostate cancer screening through digital rectal exams and PSA tests can help detect prostate cancer early. Mammograms and other imaging tools are also recommended to detect breast cancer in women.