5 Lifestyle Tips for Cancer Prevention
Each year, cancers levy a heavy societal burden in terms of cost and epidemiology. This lethal disease is responsible for millions of death every year globally. The growing cost of cancer treatment due to the introduction of advanced techniques and advanced drugs are restricting the patients of lower socioeconomic status from availing high-end treatments.
As the genomic changes that induce cancer have come in light, the prevention methods have also emerged and gained significance in recent times. Moreover, given the continued growth of cancer suffering patients, the primary prevention measures remain an utmost priority.
We, therefore, propose some lifestyle changes that have shown promising results in cancer prevention. These regulatory measures can even have a positive impact on the future generation.
Smoking: Smoking is known as the leading cause of not only cancer but also of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD). People who start smoking at an early age are more susceptible to disease. Nonetheless, both passive and active smokers are at high risk of developing cancer because smoking allows the cancerous cells to accumulate and grow in the body. In addition to this, it is a factor that also leads to the recurrence of this deadly disease. On the flip side, smoking cessation can decrease the risk of almost all type of cancers much significantly. Therefore, one should curb smoking to increase the likelihood of being cancer-free.
Diet: According to the findings of the World Health Organization (WHO), dietary factors have accounted for approximately 30% of cancer in western countries. In developing countries, the risk of cancer from an improper diet stands at 20%. Researchers have further uncovered that making changes in dietary pattern, such as consuming less animal fat and sugar can be associated with reduced risk of cancer.
Physical Activity: Breast cancer is another cause of a considerable number of deaths among women. Lack of physical activity is one of the prime factors impacting the risk of breast cancer. However, as cancer has a long latency period, the risk factors can be eliminated by correcting unhealthy lifestyle.
Alcohol: Alcohol drinking is a well-known contributing factor; many research studies have shown the association between alcohol and cancer. People who consume alcohol are predisposed to a higher risk of cancer. The folic acid attenuates the likelihood of disease in the people who drink alcohol. If people adopt a proactive stance by minimising exposure to alcohol, they then can prevent cancer in the formative stage.
Caffeine, Minerals and Vitamins: Studies conducted so far support the vitamin intake, and reduced consumption of caffeine, which correlates with lesser risk of developing cancerous cells. Especially, vitamin D and Calcium reduce the risk to a considerable extent.
Although these lifestyle changes they cannot cure cancer but can curtail the occurrence to a considerable extent. Moreover, the effects of prevention extend to the entire population and are not dependent on socioeconomic status. However, it is not advisable to entirely rely on prevention methods after cancer is detected. One should consult an expert for cancer treatment. Jodhpur also has some highly recognized cancer treatment centers that you can visit for proper care.