Cancer is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. In the past few years, there have been so many discussions on how to prevent or manage the symptoms.
The good news is that a lot of research has been done, giving us insights into what causes cancer and how to avoid it. In this post, we’ll discuss 11 new instructions for cancer protection. The instructions are developed to lower the risk of various types of cancer and can be easily incorporated into your daily routine.
1. Avoid Smoking and Tobacco
Smoking is considered one of the leading causes of cancer. The smoke produced from tobacco contains many chemicals that damage the DNA in our cells. This damage can lead to cancer, particularly lung cancer.
By avoiding smoking and tobacco products, you decrease your risk of developing cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, and respiratory diseases.
2. Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Heavy drinking poses a significant risk factor for various cancers, including breast, liver, colon, and stomach. However, consumption of alcohol in moderation is acceptable.
If you must drink, don’t consume more than one drink a day for women, and for men, no more than two drinks per day.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight can increase your risk of several cancers such as breast, prostate, colon, and kidney cancers. Ideally, you should keep a healthy body weight by incorporating a balanced diet and regular exercise into your daily routine.
Consulting with a nutritionist is also advisable to ensure you are consuming the right nutrients and calorie intake for your body type.
4. Get Vaccinated
The human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B virus exposure can cause cancer of the cervix, oral cavity, and liver. By taking the vaccines against these viruses, you can prevent the infections and reduce the risk of getting the said cancers.
5. Protect Your Skin
Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer globally, and UV rays from the sun can cause skin damage that can lead to cancer.
Wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen, and avoiding the sun during peak hours (10 am – 4 pm) can reduce the risk of skin cancer.
6. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercises such as walking, jogging or any other physical activity that ensures you are moving your muscles and increase your heart rate can keep your risk of cancer low.
Additionally, an active lifestyle can improve overall health and keep you fit.
7. Avoid or Reduce Processed Foods and Red Meat
High consumption of processed meats and red meat can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. When you must eat meat, opt for leaner meat cuts, and avoid processed meat such as sausages, bologna.
You can also substitute meat with vegetables, legumes, and other protein sources.
8. Avoid Exposure to Harmful Chemicals and Radiation
It would help if you limited your exposure to chemical and radiation sources which have been identified asbestos, benzene, and some pesticides, such as giving ris3 to cancers.
By avoiding or limiting your contact with these materials, you can take preventive measures from developing various types of cancer.
9. Get Regular Cancer Screenings
Early detection plays a crucial role in preventing cancer. Regular cancer screenings can help detect cancer in its early stages, making it easier to treat and manage.
Depending on your age and various factors that can impact your risk of getting cancer, you may require frequent screenings for screenings for various types of cancer.
10. Incorporate Fruits, Vegetables, and Other Whole Foods into Your Diet
By incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other plant-based foods into your diet, you get vital nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, which have the potential to fight cancer cells and reduce your risk of the disease.
11. Practice Safe Sex
Practicing safe sex can decrease the risk of contracting HPV, which can lead to various types of cancers such as cervical or throat cancer. Using protection, limiting sexual partners, and getting screened regularly can go far in preventing cancer.
Conclusion
In summary, cancer is a disease that can impact anyone. However, by following these 11 new instructions for cancer protection, you can take measures to reduce your risk of the disease and live a healthy life.
This includes avoiding smoking and tobacco products, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, getting vaccinated, protecting your skin, exercising regularly, avoiding processed foods and red meat, limiting exposure to harmful chemicals and radiation, getting regular cancer screenings, incorporating fruits, vegetables, and whole foods into your diet, and practicing safe sex.