If someone is ever asked if they can name the deadliest disease they know of, the majority of people will say ‘cancer’. Cancer is another name for losing your lifeforce gradually. In the year 2018, there were around 9.5 million cancer cases around the world, out of which 9.5 million were men and 8.5 million were women.
Every year, millions of people lose their loved ones, children are orphaned to cancer. It is high time people are made aware of ways they can save themselves and others from this disease. So can this disease be prevented? The answer is, yes.
What Are The Ways To Prevent Cancer?
- Avoid tobacco
We’ve all heard this before. To prevent it, the major way is to stop tobacco consumption. If you think tobacco can cause only lung cancer, you have got it wrong. Tobacco can cause cancer of the bladder, blood, cervix, kidney, pancreas, stomach, liver, and rectum. Known as carcinogens, tobacco smoke contains 70 cancer-causing chemicals. Every time someone inhales the smoke, all those chemicals enter the body. These chemicals damage the DNA, whose one function is to make new cells. A damaged DNA makes cells grow differently. These unusual cells of the body cause cancer.
- A healthy diet
Eat properly. What we eat and what we do not hold a powerful charge on our bodies. Foods that are plant-based are rich in nutrients which are called antioxidants. They help in boosting the immune system against cancer cells. Fruit intake protects against the risk of stomach and lung cancer. Carrots, squash, and sprouts contain carotenoids which protect against the risk of lung and mouth cancer. Stomach and esophageal cancer can be prevented by eating non-starchy vegetables. Tomatoes, guava, etc are rich in lycopene to prevent prostate cancer.
- Regular exercise
Studies show that physical activity prevents colon cancer. Staying physically healthy prevents breast, uterine and colorectal cancers. Exercising helps in maintaining healthy body weight. People who are obese or overweight are at a higher risk of cancer. Regular exercise also maintains and regulates hormone levels. When hormones are unbalanced, the risk of cancer increases. Exercise also speeds up the digestion process. At least 150 minutes of moderate exercise is important for our body.
- Avoid radiation
Radiation when at a certain wavelength has the capacity to damage our DNA. If our body is exposed to radiation continuously and for a longer period of time, the chances of cancer increase. Even low energy and small forms of radiation, like radiation emitting from cell phones and light, have been known to cause cancer. People are at risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer, thyroid cancer, or cancers related to the gastrointestinal like stomach, liver, and pancreatic cancers.
- Enough sleep
Yes, sleep is not directly related to cancer. But sleep helps the body and mind to relax. Poor and insufficient sleep leads to gaining weight, which as explained above is one major factor of cancer.
- Avoid continuous exposure to the sun
One of the most common kinds of cancer is skin cancer, which can be prevented by avoiding the sun. it is advisable to not let your skin be exposed to the sun when its rays are the strongest, which is between 10 am to 4 pm. When outdoors, try staying out of the sun’s way by staying under shades. Sunglasses can help. Clothing too plays an important part here. Try to wear woven loose-fitting clothes which help cover most of the skin. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30, no matter if the day is cloudy. It is advisable to wear sunscreen even when you are swimming. Avoid using sunlamps or tanning beds, as experts say they are just as harmful as the natural light of the sun.
- Get vaccinated
To prevent cancer, it is necessary to prevent catching some viral infections that can lead to cancer. Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B. It increases the risk of liver cancer. HPV, which is a sexually transmitted disease, increases the risk of genital cancers.
- Intake of enough Vitamin D
Although not yet proven, studies suggest that vitamin D helps prevent the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and many other malignancies. Doctors recommend taking 800 to 1,000 IU a day.
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