Cancer is a disease which has caused the deaths of millions upon millions of people. This has caused plenty of fear among the population, making people wary of the possibility of contracting this disease. Although there are not any cures for cancer yet, there are many actions you can take to decrease the likelihood of you suffering from cancer.
Avoid tobacco
Smoking and chewing tobacco can significantly increase your chances of contracting cancer. Numerous types of cancer have been linked to smoking tobacco. This would include cancer affecting the lungs, throat, mouth, larynx, bladder, pancreas, kidney, and cervix. Also, even if you do not smoke tobacco you can still be exposed to secondhand smoke which can result in lung cancer. Chewing tobacco may contribute to oral cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Maintain a healthy diet
Having an overall healthy diet should be an essential part of your cancer prevention strategy. This means eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and limiting consumption of processed meats. Avoid alcohol as much as possible, however if you do enjoy an occasional drink make sure to consume in moderation. Also, maintain a healthy body weight.
Stay physically active
Making sure you have some type of regular physical activity in your daily activities can play a key role in cancer prevention. Around 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity is suggested. Regular exercise is believed to decrease chances of colon cancer and breast cancer.
Protect from the sun
Skin cancer is believed to be caused by overexposure to direct sunlight. Therefore, make sure to avoid the midday sun as much as possible since this is when the sun rays are the strongest. When outdoors try to remain in the shade as much as you can while making sure to use plenty of sunscreen. Also, avoid tanning beds and sunlamps.
Keep up with vaccinations
There are some viral infections which can result in increased risk of cancer. This means you should be sure to get vaccinated for these particular viruses. Hepatitis B can increase risk of liver cancer while human papillomavirus (HPV) can result in cervical cancer or genital cancers. Additionally, HPV has been linked to cancers of the neck and head.
Avoid risky behaviors
There are some risky behaviors you should realize increase your chances of cancer. Having unsafe sex with many partners can result in HIV or AIDS which can lead to various types of cancer. Sharing needles when using intravenous drugs can also result in HIV or AIDS. It can also put you at risk of contracting hepatitis B and hepatitis C which can lead to liver cancer.
Routine medical care
Make sure to perform regular self-checks for signs of various types of cancers. Also, go see your doctor regularly to screen for cancer. Your doctor can advise you on what actions are best for you to take to prevent cancer. Also, detecting cancer early can increase your chances of surviving a bout with the disease.