How to Lower the Risk of Getting Cancer?

Cancer is generally unforeseeable yet there are some things that one can do in order to reduce the risk of cancer or boost their possibility of beating the dangerous disease if they get it. Therefore, if one is interested in beating the odds of getting cancer, then they simply need to make a few changes in their lifestyle in order to create a difference.

Ways to Lower the Risk of Getting Cancer

Consider the below-given tips to prevent cancer and lead a longer and healthier life.

1. Consume A Balanced Diet

Although eating a healthy and balanced diet cannot guarantee cancer prevention yet it may lower your risk of getting the lethal disease. Consider the following tips:

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and other food items obtained from plant sources.
• Choose low calorie foods and limit your fat and sugar intake.
• Moderate your consumption of alcohol.
• Do not eat processed meat and other packed food items in large quantities.

2. Be Physically Fit And Sustain a Healthy Weight

Being physically fit and sustaining a healthy weight might reduce the risk of getting various types of cancer diseases such as breast, lung, colon, prostate, and kidney. People who indulge daily in any type of physical activity gain certain health benefits yet for achieving more significant benefits moderate aerobic exercises at least 150 minutes a week.

3. Avoid Harsh Sun Rays

One of the most common types of cancer i.e skin cancer can be prevented by using the following tips:

• Do not stay out in the sun between 10 a.m to 4 p.m as it is the time when sun rays are strongest.
• Do not move out without applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen, even during cloudy days.
• Try to wear the loose fit, tightly woven clothes, and one that covers your skin as much as possible. Choose dark-colored clothes as they reflect UV radiations more as compared to pastel shades or bleached cotton.
• Do not use sunlamps and tanning beds.

4. Get Proper Vaccination

While ensuring prevention from the risk of getting cancer, one should also make sure to protect themselves against other viral infections as a primary step. Get vaccinated against:

• Hepatitis B: The risk of getting liver cancer can be increased due to Hepatitis B. It is recommended especially for adults who make use of intravenous drugs, one’s who are sexually active with multiple partners, individuals having STDs, public workers who may be exposed to body fluids and infected blood.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV).- It is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause other genital cancers and cervical cancer along with squamous cell cancers.

5. Avoid Consuming Tobacco

Any kind of tobacco consumption can increase the risk of getting cancer in individuals. Smoking has been connected to a variety of cancers such as the pancreas, throat, mouth, kidney, cervix, and lung. While tobacco consumption has been connected to pancreas cancer and oral cavity cancer.

Therefore, stopping tobacco consumption or avoiding any kind of tobacco products has been associated as a significant step in preventing the risk of cancer.

6. Limit Down on Alcohol

As per the studies, alcohol has been shown to increase the risk of getting certain types of cancer such as mouth, esophagus, throat, voice box, liver, breast, colon, and rectal cancer. The more alcohol a person consumes, the higher they are at the risk of getting cancer. Consider the following tips:

• Women should not consume more than 1 drink in a day, whereas for men it is 2 drinks a day.
• A drink measures about 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, and 1.5 ounces of liquor.

7. Regular Medical Check-Ups

Regular screening and self-exams for many types of cancers like skin, colon, breast, and cervix can help in detecting cancer at an early stage when treatment is more likely to cure a lethal disease like cancer. Contact your doctor and fix the best cancer screening plan for yourself.

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.