Cancer is a disease that has hit nearly everyone. Whether a person has suffered from cancer themselves or has known someone who has, this disease has touched nearly every person’s life in some way. Cancer is not one disease but a collection of diseases.

It involves the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells that affect different parts of the body. Some of its common types include lung cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer.

Although there are treatments available for cancer, prevention is always better than cure. With the help of some precautionary measures, cancer-related deaths can be prevented.

In this article, we will discuss the ways that can reduce the risk of cancer and help prevent deaths connected to the disease.

Eat a Healthy Diet

One of the best ways to prevent cancer-related deaths is to focus on your diet. Eating a healthy diet is one of the essential things you can do to prevent cancer. Your diet should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.

These foods are rich in cancer-fighting nutrients and provide your body with the necessary nutrients it needs to maintain good health.

You should also avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

High amount of salt can increase the risk of stomach cancer, while excessive sugar intake is associated with obesity – a risk factor for several types of cancer.

Stay Physically Active

Physical activity or exercise is another important factor in cancer prevention. Regular exercise can mitigate the risk of cancer and help keep the body healthy.

When you exercise regularly, you can control your weight and reduce the risk of obesity and related diseases. A healthy weight helps to prevent several types of cancer.

Moreover, physical activity enhances your immune system. It also improves digestion and helps to maintain the normal functioning of your body. Exercise also reduces inflammation in the body which is associated with cancer risk.

Quit Smoking

Smoking tobacco products is the leading cause of lung cancer. It has also been linked to several other types of cancer like oral cancer, stomach cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of cancer and its associated deaths.

When you quit smoking, your risk of cancer reduces. The benefits are even more substantial when you quit smoking at an early age. This is particularly true for lung cancer, where the risk continues to decline over time after quitting smoking.

So, if you are a smoker, quitting is the first step in preventing cancer deaths.

Get Regular Checkups

Regular cancer screening is an essential tool in preventing cancer-related deaths. Early detection of cancer is crucial to successful treatment. For many types of cancer, a clear sign of the disease may not appear until it has already advanced.

That is why regular check-ups such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and Pap smears can detect early-stage cancer while it still curable and prevent deaths associated with it.

Your age and family history of cancer determine the frequency and type of check-up you need. According to the American Cancer Society, women should receive regular mammograms starting at age 45 and Pap smears starting at age 21.

Men over 50 should discuss with their doctors the benefits of regular prostate cancer screenings.

Protect Yourself from the Sun

Excessive sun exposure is associated with skin cancer. Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer, and its cases continue to rise. One of the easiest and most preventable ways to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin from the sun.

You should, therefore, avoid sun exposure when the sun is the strongest, usually between 10 am and 4 pm. Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses.

Also, apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and is water-resistant. Apply the sunscreen generously, and reapply it every two hours or more often if you are sweating or swimming.

Avoid or Limit Alcohol Consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with several types of cancer like breast cancer, liver cancer, and colon cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, consuming more than one drink per day for women and more than two drinks per day for men increases the risk of cancer.

It is important to remember that alcohol affects different people differently. People should be aware of the harmful effects of alcohol and avoid binge drinking. Limiting or avoiding alcohol is a crucial factor in cancer prevention.

Keep Your Surrounding Chemical Free

Prevention of cancer also includes reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins in the environment. Many chemicals and pollutants found in our environment are associated with the risk of cancer.

These pollutants include pesticides, gasoline fumes, and cleaning solvents. Household products, including cosmetics, may contain chemicals that may cause cancer or endocrine disruption.

Limit your exposure to chemicals by checking labels of household products and cosmetics to avoid chemicals that are dangerous to your health. Try to use natural, non-toxic products, and avoid tobacco smoke, which contains several harmful chemicals.

If you are working in a hazardous environment, take the necessary precautions to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals.

Manage Stress

Stress is yet another risk factor associated with cancer. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making you vulnerable to various diseases, including cancer.

When you are stressed, your body produces several hormones that interfere with your body’s natural healing properties.

Managing stress is, therefore essential in preventing cancer-related deaths. Activities like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help cope with stress. Try to identify your stress triggers and find ways to avoid them or manage them.

It is also important to get enough sleep and rest to help improve your mood and reduce anxiety.

Conclusion

Cancer is a life-threatening disease, but it is preventable. Prevention starts with individuals taking the necessary measures to lower their risk of cancer.

Simple lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, go a long way in preventing cancer-related deaths. Quitting smoking, getting regular check-ups, protecting yourself from the sun, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding harmful chemicals, and managing stress are other effective methods to reduce cancer risk.

Adopting these healthy habits can help prevent tens of thousands of cancer deaths and bring down the burden of the disease.