These simple lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of cancer and prevent the disease.
Eat right: Switch to a plant-based diet. “Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains, and limit red meat and salty foods, and cut down on processed meats,” say experts from the Cancer Prevention Foundation. “Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks. A (recent) study found that consuming three servings of vegetables (but not starchy ones like potatoes) and two servings of fruit (but not juice) a day reduced the risk of death from cancer by 10%.”
Weight Watchers: “Maintaining a healthy weight may lower your risk of certain cancers, including breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney cancer,” notes the Mayo Clinic. “Physical activity is also important. Not only can it help with weight management, but physical activity itself may lower your risk of breast and colon cancer. As a general goal, try to include at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.”
Avoid bad habits: “Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, at least 250 of which are known to be harmful and at least 69 of which are known to cause cancer,” explains the World Health Organization, “(and) alcohol is a probable carcinogen, causally linked to seven types of cancer, including esophageal, liver, colon and breast cancer.”
Reduce radiation: “According to Harvard Medical School, it is important to avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation. Get medical imaging tests only when necessary. Check your home for radon, which increases the risk of lung cancer. Protect yourself from the sun's ultraviolet rays, which increase the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers.”
Check your medical history: “Knowing what diseases run in your family plays an important role in understanding your cancer risk,” say the people at UC Davis Medical Center. “If you have a family history of breast, ovarian, uterine, or colorectal cancer, you are at higher risk for developing these cancers. Check your medical history with all of your blood relatives. This includes your biological parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings.”
