6 Lifestyle Changes You Must Make In Order To Prevent Cancer
The causes of cancer are numerous and complex, but there are some lifestyle choices that can significantly increase or decrease your risk of developing the disease.
If you want to reduce your chances of getting cancer, there are a few lifestyle changes you should make.
1. Eat a healthy diet
It is important to eat a healthy diet in order to prevent cancer. According to doctors at www.bedfordbreastcenter.com, what you eat plays a big role in your cancer risk. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This type of diet may lower your risk of some types of cancer, while a diet high in processed meat and refined carbohydrates could increase your risk.
It is also important to limit your intake of carbohydrates, fats, processed foods, red meat, and alcohol. Fizzy drinks should also be limited, as they contain far more sugar than you might imagine. Healthier alternatives include juice, smoothies, squash and fruit tea. Even using a soda stream to make your own fizzy drinks is healthier than buying mass-produced soda – simply search “soda stream refill near me” to find refills near you. Eating (and drinking) a healthy diet can help you maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce your risk of developing cancer.
2. Quit smoking
Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States. Every year, smoking kills more Americans than alcohol, drugs, and HIV combined. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. It reduces your risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other smoking-related illnesses.
Making the decision to quit smoking is a big step. But it’s important to remember that quitting is a process. There’s no one right way to do it. Some people are able to quit cold turkey, while others need to slowly reduce their intake before quitting completely. There are also a variety of resources and support groups available to help you through the process.
3. Get regular exercise
We all know how important it is to get regular exercise, but did you know that it can also help prevent cancer? Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day can make a difference. This could include walking, swimming, cycling, or running. It can help reduce your risk of developing cancer by up to 50%. And the more you do, the greater the benefit. Exercise helps by keeping your weight down, reducing inflammation, and boosting your immune system. If you’re not used to exercising, start with 10 minutes a day and gradually increase your time as you become more fit. So get moving and make exercise a part of your daily routine!
4. Maintain a healthy weight
Carrying excess weight is one of the major risk factors for developing cancer. In fact, being overweight or obese is linked to an increased risk of at least 13 different types of cancer. So, if you’re carrying excess weight, losing even a small amount can reduce your cancer risk.
There are many ways to lose weight and keep it off. The most important thing is to find a method that works for you and that you can stick with in the long term. Some people find that making small changes to their diet and lifestyle is all they need to do. Others may need to follow a more structured plan.
Whatever approach you take, remember that sustainable weight loss takes time. Aim to lose weight slowly and steadily, rather than trying to achieve a quick fix.
5. Protect yourself from the sun
It’s no secret that the sun can be damaging to your skin. But did you know that it can also increase your risk of developing cancer? That’s right, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a leading cause of skin cancer.
So what can you do to protect yourself? The most important thing is to avoid direct sunlight during the peak hours of 10 am to 4 pm. If you must be out in the sun, make sure to wear protective clothing, including a hat, a long-sleeved shirt, and pants. And don’t forget the sunscreen! Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you’re sweating or swimming.
6. Get regular cancer screenings
Cancer screenings are tests that look for cancer before you have any symptoms. They can help find cancer at its earliest stage when it’s most likely to be treated successfully.
There are different types of cancer screening tests, and the best one for you depends on your age, health history, and other factors. The three most common types of cancer screenings are:
- Mammograms: Mammograms are x-rays of the breast. They can find tumors that are too small to feel. Women age 40 and older should get a mammogram every year.
- Pap tests: Pap tests (or Pap smears) look for changes in the cells of the cervix, which is the opening to the uterus. These changes could turn into cancer. Women aged 21 to 65 should get a Pap test every three years.
- Colonoscopies: Colonoscopies look for cancer in the colon (large intestine) and rectum. During this test, a long, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the rectum into the colon. If anything abnormal is found, tissue samples can be taken for further testing. Men and women age 50 and older should get a colonoscopy every 10 years.
You may need to get these tests more often if you have certain risk factors for cancer, such as a family history of the disease. Talk to your doctor about how often you should get screened.
Making these lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of cancer, but it’s important to remember that there are no guarantees. Even if you do everything right, you could still get cancer. But, making these changes will improve your odds and give you a much better chance of living a long and healthy life.
