STEPS TO HELP PREVENT CANCER
It is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle to decrease your risk of developing cancer, and to get screened regularly to combat cancer in its early stages.
How to help prevent cancer:
- Consume a healthy diet
Eat sufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables because they are rich in fibre, vitamins, antioxidants and phytochemicals which can help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Nuts, beans, wholegrains and healthy fats are also healthy food options that may help fight cancer.
You may also want to consider limiting the consumption of processed foods, red meat, fried foods, unhealthy fats, sugars and refined carbohydrates.
- Maintain a healthy weight
Being at a healthy weight may lower people’s risk of certain types of cancer, therefore it is important to follow a healthy balanced diet and adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to achieve this goal. Being overweight or obese may be linked to various chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, among others.
- Be active
Staying active on most days of the week is very important for health as it could help prevent various diseases including cancer. Aim to for at least 30 minutes of exercise on five or more days of the week.
- Avoid tobacco use including secondhand smoke
Avoiding tobacco can reduce one’s risk of developing various types of cancer. Be aware of your surroundings when attending gatherings and social events, and try to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Breathing secondhand smoke can affect your health.
- Get enough sleep
Getting adequate sleep for the body to recharge is essential. Adequate sleep will help the brain, nervous system and immune system to function normally.
- Get the available vaccinations to protect yourself from certain types of cancer such as cervical cancer and liver cancer
- Protect yourself from the sun
Reducing sun exposure is the best means of helping to prevent skin cancer, followed by wearing hats and tightly woven clothing, followed by broad-spectrum waterproof sunscreens applied liberally and often.
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation
- Avoid exposure to industrial and environmental toxins
