Around the world, cancer is one of the leading causes of death, so it’s quite natural to be concerned about preventing this disease. While you may not be able to completely eliminate the risk of cancer, the good news is that you can seriously reduce the likelihood that you will develop it by taking charge of your lifestyle and going for regular checks and screenings to become aware of any risk factors that need your attention as early as possible. Some of the top things that you can do to reduce your risk of cancer include:
Get Regular Medical Care
Regular self-exams and attending screenings and check-ups for various types of cancers such as skin cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer can help you prevent this disease by becoming aware of risk factors as early as possible. For example, HPV is a common virus that is transmitted between humans but certain strains that can lead to cervical cancer. When you have a smear test, the sample will be tested for human papillomavirus (HPV), which can help you make more informed choices regarding your health in order to support your immune system in fighting off the virus before it worsens and causes damage.
Medical screenings and check-ups can also help you get the cancer treatment you need as early as possible if you do have cancer, which increases the likelihood of recovery and remission. Find out more about private cancer treatment at Circle Health Group. Circle Health Group is one of the biggest networks of UK private clinics and hospitals offering a wide range of treatment and screening options.
Quit Smoking
Using any kind of tobacco will seriously increase your risk of developing cancer. Smoking has been linked to several various cancers including mouth cancer, and cancer of the throat, larynx, lung, bladder, cervix, pancreas, and kidneys. Non-smokers who spend time around smokers are also at risk since this will expose you to second-hand smoke, which can increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Avoiding smoking, or quitting if you already smoke, is an important part of preventing cancer. Your doctor can help if you want to quit smoking.
Get Vaccinated
Preventing cancer can include protecting yourself against certain viral infections with a vaccination. Speak to your doctor about getting vaccinated against HPV, which is a sexually transmitted virus that may lead to certain types of cancer including ovarian cancer, genital cancer, and squamous cell cancer of the neck and head. You may also want to consider getting vaccinated against Hepatitis B, as this condition can increase the risk of developing liver cancer.
Eat a Healthy Diet
While making healthier selections when it comes to food can’t guarantee that you will not get cancer, eating the right foods can help to reduce your risk. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet and increase the amount of food you get from plant sources. Reduce the amount of processed meat in your diet; reports have found that eating a lot of processed meat may increase the risk of developing some cancers. If you drink alcohol, only drink in moderation. The risk of certain cancers, including cancers of the lung, liver, kidney, breast, and colon will increase for those who drink a lot of alcohol or drink regularly for a long time.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun
Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, however, the good news is that there are several things that you can do to prevent it. When you go outside, use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even if it’s cloudy. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours. You can find body lotions and moisturisers that contain sunscreen to make it easier to make this a part of your regular routine. Avoid the midday sun when it is the strongest and stay in the shade as much as possible when outdoors. You may also want to wear loose-fitting clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds; these are just as dangerous as the sun.
Stay Active
Being physically active can help you to maintain a healthy weight, which in turn can reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer including breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and kidney cancer. Along with that, some studies have found that physical activity alone can help to reduce your risk of colon cancer and breast cancer, even if you don’t lose weight. For the best health benefits, aim to get around 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity, or 75 minutes of more intense exercise weekly. A good way to achieve this is to focus on doing half an hour of physical activity per day.
With cancer one of the biggest health risks of our time, it’s important to know what we can do to prevent it and keep ourselves healthy and well.
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