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Claiming more than 600,000 lives annually in the United States alone, cancer is by far among the world’s most feared diseases, and for a good reason.
As much as it’s treatable and even curable in the early stages, most treatments for advanced cancer are usually aimed at improving the patient’s quality of life.
It is also safe to say that the best treatment for cancer is preventing it in the first place. And as the old adage goes, prevention is always better than cure!
Having said this, how can you reduce your odds of suffering from malignancies? Here are some research-proven and medically recommended ways to reduce your risk of developing cancer.
1. Regular Medical Checks and Cancer Screening
As earlier hinted, cancer is pretty much curable when detected at an early stage. But early diagnosis is only possible through cancer screening and regular medical checks.
Screening is especially crucial for patients with malignancies but do not have the symptoms of cancer, meaning that it is not yet spread or advanced. It can also help detect cell abnormalities and an appropriate treatment given to prevent progression to cancer.
What if You’re Only Diagnosed with Cancer After It’s Spread? At times, a medical practitioner may fail to detect cancer as early as they should – perhaps out of medical errors. Cases of cancer misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis are not alien to the medical field.
If you’re only diagnosed with cancer after it has already spread, you might want to contact a Delayed Cancer Diagnosis’ legal team for advice. They’ll investigate your case and help find out if you are eligible for compensation through a medical malpractice claim.
2. Avoid Smoking at All Costs and Limit Your Alcohol Intake
From lung to throat, mouth, bladder, and cervical cancer, several types of cancer have a close association with smoking or chewing tobacco. Whether you smoke or chew, quitting tobacco for good can be the healthiest decision you will ever make.
And if you consume alcohol, it is recommended to only do so in moderation. Excessive alcohol intake can have devastating effects on your health, including increasing your risk of developing colon, liver, oral, and breast cancers.
3. Healthy Nutrition: Keep Your Diet in Check
Nutrition plays a key role in determining a person’s risk of suffering from certain types of cancers. For instance, consuming too much red meat and saturated fats can heighten the risk of colon cancer and prostate cancer.
A healthy, well-balanced diet, on the other hand, can shrink your chances of suffering from cancer, more so later in life. Health experts usually recommend reducing your intake of processed food and instead increasing your consumption of whole grains, leafy veggies, and fruits.
4. Prioritize Vaccination
Some types of cancer are triggered by infection, especially viral infections. A good example is Liver cancer, which can develop from infection by Hepatitis B. HPV or human papillomavirus infection is also a common cause of cervical cancer, which primarily affects women. Taking a jab for such infections at the right time can incredibly minimize your cancer risk.
5. Protect Your Skin from The Harsh Sun Rays
Many skin cancers are linked to unsafe prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV radiation. This is why it is recommended to apply sunscreen and wear appropriate clothing to keep your skin protected whenever heading out on a scorching sunny day.
6. Exercise Regularly
The benefits of regular physical activity are virtually too many to mention. And as far as research goes, exercising regularly can help slim the risk of colon cancer and breast cancer. It’s even more effective when combined with a healthy diet approach. Moreover, exercise can help prevent or reverse obesity, which has been linked to several types of cancer.
Cancer is usually considered a terminal illness. The good news, however, is that it can be prevented by reducing or eliminating certain risk factors. The above few pointers can go a long way in improving your health and helping reduce your risk of developing cancer.
