Concerns about cancer are on the rise as more and more people become aware of the disease. Roughly 40% of Americans have been diagnosed with cancer, according to American Cancer Society estimates. This number will only increase in the coming years, which means something needs to be done.
As the numbers increase, cases of misdiagnosis may also be on the rise. If you’re misdiagnosed, you can always contact cancer misdiagnosis lawyers.
Read on to know how to minimize cancer risk drastically.
- Exercise Daily
Physical activity is the most important thing you can do to keep your body healthy and cancer-free. Research has found that people who work out regularly are less likely to be obese, have cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. There’s a bonus: Exercise strengthens muscles and bones, which could help forestall osteoporosis later in life.
- Eat Healthy Foods
The next step to drastically minimize your risk of cancer is to eat a healthy diet. That means going for more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains instead of processed food.
Don’t skip breakfast; it’s the most important meal of the day. And always keep hydrated with plenty of water or some other clean drink like green tea. These two habits alone can help you stay in shape and prevent diseases like cancer from developing.
- Reduce Processed Meat Consumption
Eating red and processed meats is linked to higher risks for cancers like colorectal, pancreatic, stomach, and esophageal cancer. These meats have nitrates, preservatives, and more fat than others which can increase cancer risk. Eat less red or processed meat by having smaller portions at meals or substituting them with healthier options like beans or lean chicken breast.
- Take Less Alcohol
Alcohol is a known carcinogen that increases the risk of cancer. Even though the association between alcohol consumption and certain cancers has been studied extensively, it’s still challenging to determine precisely how much alcohol can cause harm.
However, some research points towards an increased risk of head and neck cancer from drinking at any level.
- Limit Your Intake Of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
Sugar-sweetened beverages are a significant source of added sugar in the diet and can lead to weight gain, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Research is linking sugary drinks with cancer too. Studies show that drinking one or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day increases your overall risk of pancreatic cancer by up to 60%.
To minimize this risk, limit intake of all sources of sugar, including regular soft drinks (soda), fruit juice, sports drinks like Gatorade, and “diet” versions that contain artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and saccharin.
- Breastfeed Your Baby If You’re A Mother
A recent study showed that mothers who breastfed their children had a significantly lower risk of developing breast cancer later in life. This is essential because breastfeeding reduces the mother’s exposure to estrogen and progesterone hormones. These hormones are associated with an increased risk of hormonal-related cancers such as prostate cancer or ovarian cancer.
- Get The Right Immunization
One of the most important steps you can take to prevent cancer is getting immunized with HPV and Hepatitis vaccines, alongside other routine vaccinations.
These two immunizations offer protection against some of the most common strains that cause cervical cancers and liver disease, respectively. Despite misconceptions about these vaccines being a myth or not necessary, they can minimize your risk of developing certain cancer types. It’s best to get both as soon as possible if you haven’t already done so.
The HPV vaccine protects girls from four out of five cases of cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus, which often sets off abnormal cells on the cervix due to genetic problems. This leads them into becoming pre-cancerous lesions before they can turn to cancerous lesions.
The Hepatitis vaccine, on the other hand, protects against four out of five cases of liver diseases caused by hepatitis B and C in children who got infected after birth or from an HIV-positive mother during pregnancy. Chronic viral infections like these are often asymptomatic but lead to cirrhosis which is a form of scarring in your liver.
Summing Up
These are just but a few of the many techniques you can employ to minimize your cancer risk drastically. It is not as complicated or difficult as one might think, but it requires some effort.
