Lifestyle Choices To Prevent Cancer

Cancer is primarily an environmental disease in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth. All living cells in the body can become cancerous. Cancer is a group of diseases with similar characteristics but different courses. The cancer cells destroy adjacent cells and sometimes spread to other locations. In order to adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent cancer, it is necessary to understand what causes cancer. There are environmental factors that causes cancer while some cancers are genetic in origin. Lifestyle factors are the most preventable causes of cancer.

Undesirable Lifestyle Habits That Can Cause Cancer

Diet:

A diet low in vegetables, fruits and whole grains, a diet rich in red or processed meat, a high salt diet can
all cause cancer. Consumption of a high chilli diet, food at high temperatures predispose to cancer.

Exercise:

A lack of exercise or physical inactivity.

Intoxicants:

Alcoholic drinks in excess, tobacco smoking which includes passive smoking, betel nut chewing are all risk factors.

Hormones:

Use of birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy.

Sexual Practices:

Poor sexual hygiene, early age at first intercourse, multiple sexual partners.

Radiation:

Too much exposure to ultraviolet radiations from the sun, radiations used for medical imaging can cause cancer. Radiations from mobile phones are considered as possible carcinogens.

Cosmetic:

Use of breast implants

Gynaecological:

Late age at first pregnancy greater than 30years, single child, late age at menopause, early menarche repeated child births.

Others:

Certain infections like HPV, Ebstein-barr virus are known to cause cancer. Physical trauma and associated inflammations causes cancer in rare circumstances.

Transmission:

Rare transmissions are known to occur with pregnancy and organ donors.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices To Prevent Cancer:

Healthy Diet:

A healthy balanced diet is the preferred choice for a healthy living. A diet rich in fruits,vegetables, whole grains, fiber and low in red meat and fat would be ideal. Eat five different portions of fruits and vegetables daily. Eat high fibre foods like whole grain bread, peas, lentils. Take fewer portions of red meat but poultry and sea food can be eaten. Anti oxidants are substances which prevent mutative damage to the body and thus prevents cancer. They are also known to strengthen the immune system. The commonly known antioxidants are carotenoids, vitamins A,C and E, selenium.

Vegetables like carrot, tomato, sweet potato, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, fruits like oranges and strawberries, nuts, whole grains and fish supply the requirements for antioxidants. A word of caution while using fruits and vegetables is the presence of pesticides which is a possible carcinogen. Organic foods would be an excellent choice. Home gardening with the use of natural fertilizers and pesticides would provide healthy products and get you to exercise as well. Stay away from artificial flavours and artificial sweeteners. Be cautious with supplements. Drinking green tea might be helpful in preventing cancer. Drink lots of clean water.

Regular Exercise:

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Any of the exercise from brisk walking, jogging, gardening, cycling or swimming should be included in your daily routine. Exercise for half an hour, five times a week. Practicing yoga has added benefits. It is known to reduce stress and anxiety, improve the quality of sleep and improve the quality of life as well.

Smoking And Drinking:

Quit smoking. Drink alcohol only in moderation.

Take Care In The Sun:

Avoid sun during midday. Be properly covered while going out in the sun. Use sun glasses.Apply generous amount of sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher). Avoid tanning beds. Protect your child from sun.

Practice Safe Sex:

Maintain hygiene in sexual Practices. Use a condom can prevent the transmission of viruses that are known to cause cancer. Avoid multiple sexual partners.

Radiations:

Keep mobile phones away from your body as much as possible. In using radiations for medical screening or treatment, try to gather as much information as possible about its benefits and the risks involved.The benefits of the procedure should outweigh the risks.

Know Your Body:

Maintain a healthy body weight by combining a proper diet and regular exercise. Obesity is a major risk factor for cancer, besides other diseases. If you are overweight, try to reduce weight. Cut down your calorie and fat intake. Involve yourself in exercises regularly. Be physically active. Know what is normal for your body. Be aware of the early signs of cancer. Unexplained weight loss, changes in a mole, a sore that refuses to heal, abnormal bleeding or discharges from the orifices in our body could all point to cancer.

Early detection of cancer contributes to success of the treatment. Changes in your lifestyle can protect your body against various disease, makes your mind sharper and your body fitter. The quality of your life improves and you can look forward towards a healthy and fruitful life.