Cancer is not really a single disease, but a collection of diseases that can affect different parts of the body. Some statistics say that one in two people will experience cancer in their lifetime, so it’s a health concern that affects many, whether directly or indirectly.
Fortunately, the detection and treatment of cancers are both getting better all the time, although it’s easier to find and treat some than others. Although you can’t ever guarantee that you will never get cancer, there are some choices that you can make in life to make it less likely or to ensure it’s caught and treated early.
Avoid Tobacco
One of the best things that you can do if you want to prevent cancer is to avoid tobacco. Using tobacco, whether you smoke it, chew it, or use it in another way, has been linked to a number of different cancers. It can increase your risk of lung cancer, throat cancer, stomach cancer, and more.
If you already use tobacco, quitting as soon as you can will reduce your risk of cancer and improve your overall health. You can find lots of resources and aids to help you quit, from support groups to nicotine patches.
Eat a Healthy Diet and Keep Fit
A generally healthy lifestyle will help you to stay healthy and can help to reduce your risk for some types of cancer. There are some dietary choices that you can make if you want to try to reduce your risk of cancer, such as eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoiding too many processed meats.
Maintaining a healthy weight can help you to stay healthier and might reduce your risk of cancer too. If you drink alcohol, you should only do so in moderation, avoiding drinking to excess on a regular basis. Try eating a Mediterranean diet for a healthier lifestyle.
Protect Yourself from the Sun
Skin cancer is a risk that everyone should be aware of. Too much sun exposure could increase your risk of skin cancer, so protecting your skin from the sun is essential. There are several ways you can prevent too much sun exposure. Wearing sunscreen regularly will help to protect your skin.
Instead of only wearing it on hot and sunny days, you can use it every day for extra protection. You can also cover up by wearing long sleeves and pants or skirts, as well as shading your face with a hat.
Get Important Screenings
Cancer screenings won’t typically prevent cancer, but they can help to pick up on the signs of cancer. Additionally, cervical cancer screenings can test for HPV, which is a big risk factor for cancer. You can get the latest news on cancer screening developments from MedComp Sciences.
Best practices and the effectiveness of cancer screening are always evolving and improving. Make sure you know what type of cancer screening you should have at different ages.
You can’t guarantee that you will never have cancer, but living a healthy lifestyle and taking care of your health can help to reduce your risk.