The number of deaths around the world from cancer is staggering. Many families have been impacted by cancer’s deadliness and disruption. If you want to reduce your risk of developing cancer at some point in your life, it’s time to take a look at your lifestyle and habits. Changing the way you live can help you improve your chances of never getting cancer. Here are the recommended lifestyle changes you can adopt to help reduce your risk of cancer.
Quit Smoking
Start with eliminating all tobacco products from your life. Smoking cigarettes causes nearly 90 percent of all lung cancers. Simply quitting smoking can lower your chances of getting this deadly disease. Smoking is also linked to other types of cancers, such as throat, lip, blood, liver, and kidney cancer. It’s important to also stop using other tobacco products, such as dip, chewing tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and other substances that contain toxic nicotine.
Start Moving
Another lifestyle change that could help you reduce your risk of cancer is exercise. Living a sedentary lifestyle and not getting any exercise is bad for your heart, and it’s also not good for the rest of your body. The good news is once you get into a routine of daily exercise, you can improve your outlook. Physical activity helps improve insulin levels and some hormone functioning, which could lower your risk of cancer. A strong, physically active body also has a higher immune system response, which also plays a part in cancer prevention.
Cut Back on Alcohol
There have also been numerous studies that have found a link between heavy alcohol consumption and a higher incidence of certain cancers. Binge drinkers and regular drinkers may be more likely to develop diseases such as liver cancer, mouth cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, and colorectal cancer. To help reduce your risk of cancer, you need to lower your alcohol consumption to less than one drink per week.
Schedule Cancer Screenings
You can also take charge of lowering your risk of getting cancer by using the newest medical technologies. There are many different types of cancer screening tests you can use to detect various forms of this disease. Some types of blood tests or body scanning screenings have been able to help people pinpoint their risk of developing certain cancers. Harry Stylli, an executive in the medical technology industry, also has developed new ways to screen for cancers.
Take Vitamin D Supplements
There has also been some evidence linking Vitamin D levels to your risk of getting cancer. Lower levels of Vitamin D were associated with developing cancer. People in the medical field are still investigating the link between this nutrient and the risk of cancer. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that can help improve the immune system function, mood, and bone health. Many people don’t get enough Vitamin D in their diet. You can increase your Vitamin D intake by using supplements or eating more dairy and fatty fish.
Improve Your Diet
Your diet is also important in the fight against cancer. Stop patronizing fast-food restaurants and avoid choosing foods that are fried or high in saturated fats and calories. Instead, opt for a healthy diet that incorporates a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Your diet can include plenty of foods that have cancer-fighting antioxidant powers, which improves your outlook down the road.
Use Sunscreen
Next, aim to lreduce your risk of cancer by making sure you protect yourself every day you go outside. Dermatologists recommend that everyone wear sunscreen daily, no matter what time of year it is, to keep the sun’s harmful ultraviolet light from damaging their skin and causing skin cancer. Lathering up the sunscreen can also keep your skin looking younger, fresher, more supple, and wrinkle-free.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
A healthy weight is another big part of cancer prevention. Obesity is not just a risk factor for conditions like heart disease and diabetes, it’s also a key factor in a higher chance of getting cancer. Daily exercise and a healthy diet can help you keep your weight in the normal range. If you’re overweight or obese, take steps to lose weight so you can live a healthier lifestyle.
Go to the Doctor
The last big part of preventing cancer is to take your health seriously and schedule screenings and physical exams on a regular basis. You should be going to your doctor at least once per year for an annual exam. At the doctor’s office, you can get additional monitoring for other potential health issues that could help you maintain a cancer-free lifestyle. Blood tests and other exams could detect potential problems early and keep you from developing a deadly disease.
Your health is one of the most important things you can maintain. Change your lifestyle to one that puts your health first and helps reduce your risk of cancer.
