Statistics suggest that among Americans, every one in three might develop any form of cancer in his or her life. This is an alarming fact, and it indicates that Americans are at a higher risk of dealing with cancer at some point in life. What has caused it? There are some flaws in our routines and lifestyle which has made this risk gigantic.
A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent cancer effectively. Our habits which we consider harmless, increase the risk factor of this deadly disease. If it is not diagnosed early, then it can prove really fatal. Let us go through some of the lifestyle changes that help to prevent cancer.
10 Changes In Lifestyle
You can do many things, but we have highlighted the most important ones. It is very crucial to understand how our unhealthy habits can increase our risk of getting this disease and ways to manage it.
1. Avoid Tobacco
Smoking can seriously become fatal if it takes the form of cancer. Habitual smokers have a huge risk of developing cancer at any point in life. The only way to eliminate this risk factor is by quitting smoking. Avoiding tobacco in any form can help you prevent this deadly disease.
Make sure you protect yourself and your family even from second-hand smoking. Second-hand smoke has equally harmful effects on the body. A regular smoker is at increased risk of developing lungs, throat, and larynx cancer. Thus, make sure that you live a smoke-free life in order to prevent cancer.
2. Avoid Drinking
Excess alcohol also increases your risk of developing cancer. Just like smoking, drinking is also very common among Americans, and this habit is the main culprit of many serious health problems. Do not make yourself a regular drinker. Too much alcohol increases the risk of mouth, colon and liver cancer. In women, it can also trigger breast cancer.
Uncontrolled drinking can take a more serious form, and it can turn into an addiction. Alcohol abuse is very common in some states, such as Florida. So, in order to deal with it, you can find both state-funded and private treatment options in different cities of Florida. For example, rehab facilities in Tampa, Florida will help you get rid of addiction and prevent serious health consequences.
3. Consume Healthy Food
There is a lot of evidence that supports the role of certain food in causing cancer. For instance, scientists believe that excessively consuming saturated fats, red meat and processed foods in the diet increase the risk of colon cancer. Thus, a healthy and balanced diet may allow you to avoid and prevent colon cancer.
The idea is to eat more natural and wholesome food. Try to take more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Additionally, swapping red meat with lean protein and fish as an excess of red meat also increases cancer risk. A healthy and balanced diet also helps to reduce the likelihood of other serious diseases.
4. Exercise Regularly
The main motive behind the exercise is to get a fit and lean body. However, a regular and consistent exercise routine can bring you countless health benefits. One big advantage of regular exercise is that it helps to prevent cancer.
Regardless of gender, exercise is very effective for preventing colon cancer. In women, it is especially useful in the prevention of breast and ovarian cancer. No matter whether you lose weight or not, you successfully manage to reduce the risk of cancer with exercise.
5. Stay Lean
You start to gain weight when you consume more calories than you actually burn. Excess weight gain and obesity also increase the risk of cancer. Aiming to slim down your body will not only help you look good, but it will also help you to reduce the cancer risk.
You can work on your diet and physical activity to achieve desired results. Staying lean and fit also prevents cardiovascular issues and diabetes.
6. Avoid Radiation Exposure
Make sure that you only go through medical imaging when it is essential. As those radiations are very harmful to health, and unnecessary exposure to them can increase the risk of cancer. Other than that, also avoid harmful UV sun radiation as it increases the risk of skin cancer.
7. Avoid Exposure To Industrial Toxins
Too much exposure to industrial and environmental toxins is also very essential to prevent cancer. Many of these toxins are carcinogenic when they get inside the body. Asbestos, aromatic amines, benzene and PCBs are some examples of such toxins.
8. Avoid Cancer-Causing Infections
There are many fatal infections that also increase the risk of cancer. Thus, maintain good hygiene and get necessary vaccination to get protection against such types of infection. Hepatitis and HIV are common examples of such infections. In addition, there are many sexually transmitted infections that can increase your risk of cancer.
9. Get Enough Vitamin D
Experts believe that Vitamin D helps to prevent many serious forms of cancer such as colon, prostate and breast cancer. Thus, make sure that you meet your daily needs of vitamin D as per your age. Experts encourage sourcing Vitamin D more from foods than from supplements.
Sunlight also promotes its synthesis in the body, so give your body enough sun exposure. When it comes to taking supplements, consult with your doctor and use it only with the recommendation of your physician.
10. Manage Sleep
There is no strong connection between sleep and cancer. However, healthy and sound sleep can promote both physical and mental health and optimize bodily functions. This eventually helps to reduce the risk of cancer.
Take Away
Cancer is a fatal disease, and it comes in many forms. Early diagnosis and quality treatment can improve your chance to beat it out, but with a healthy and balanced lifestyle, one can aim to prevent this disease altogether. There are some things that you need to work on in order to get yourself a healthy lifestyle.
