7 Lifestyle Changes You Can Make Now to Reduce Your Cancer Risk
There is no sure way to prevent cancer, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Health lifestyle choices help with cancer prevention and regular screenings allow for both prevention and early detection. Here are seven lifestyle changes your can make to reduce your cancer risk:
- Maintain a healthy diet: Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help reduce your risk of cancer. Avoid processed foods, sugar, and red meat, as they can increase your risk.
- Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help reduce your risk of cancer by improving your overall health and reducing inflammation. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as brisk walking, 5 days per week.
- Avoid tobacco: Smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer, so quitting or avoiding tobacco is an important step in cancer prevention. If you do smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health.
- Limit alcohol consumption: There is strong evidence that drinking alcohol increases your risk of cancer, so limit your alcohol consumption or avoid it altogether. If you do drink, limit yourself to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
- Protect your skin from the sun: Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, so protect your skin by using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade when the sun is strongest.
- Get vaccinated: Certain vaccines, such as the HPV vaccine, can help prevent certain types of cancer. This includes good news about preventing cervical cancer. Talk to your doctor about the vaccines that are right for you.
- Get regular check-ups: Regular check-ups and screenings can help detect cancer early when it is most treatable. Regular preventive care screenings include mammograms, pap smears, colon cancer screenings, and others. Talk to your physician about which screenings are best for you and how often you should be tested.
While there is no guarantee that you will not develop cancer, following these steps can help reduce your risk. It is also important to talk to your doctor about your individual risk factors and any other steps you can take to prevent cancer.
Preventing cancer is a complex process that involves a combination of lifestyle changes and regular check-ups. By eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco, protecting your skin, getting vaccinated, and getting regular check-ups, you can reduce your risk of developing cancer and improve your overall health.
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Resource(s):
https://www.acsm.org/education-resources/trending-topics-resources/physical-activity-guidelines
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet
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The Team at BSDI