February was National Cancer Prevention Month, even though it was last month, it seems a fitting place to begin our first column, a column that plans to discuss important issues in cancer awareness, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Last year, more than 500,000 people died from cancer in the United States, and it continues to be the second leading cause of death behind heart disease. These statistics are not meant to scare you, but rather to remind you that cancer is something that needs to be taken seriously. And if you put these 5 daily habits into action, you can greatly decrease your cancer risk.
Eating Habits
It’s no secret that the best advice when it comes to your eating habits is “everything in moderation.” And that is certainly true when it comes to cancer prevention. You don’t have to become a vegan, but be aware of what you’re eating and how much you eat. Here are a couple specific items you want to monitor more closely:
Limit red meat- Doctors don’t exactly know why red meat encourages the growth of tumors, but there is a link. It might be the cooking at high temperatures or red meat’s glycoproteins which can induce inflammation in human tissue. There’s nothing wrong with a hamburger now and then, but you wouldn’t want to make it your daily meal.
Limit carbohydrates- Similarly, too many carbs can also promote chronic inflammation that can lead to tumor growth. Replacing some of your carb intake with fruits or vegetables will not only help in this way, but it will improve your insulin sensitivity as well.
Don’t overeat- Again we come back to moderation. Not only does overeating in general stimulate tumor growth, but obesity is the second leading lifestyle factor contributing to cancer rates (behind smoking). Be conscious and in control of both your diet and your portions.
Exercise
Even though we all know that we should exercise regularly, a recent study showed that most Americans do not engage in enough regular physical activity. And while most of us know that exercise offers health benefits in the form of weight control, muscle and joint maintenance, and prevention of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, studies also show that regular exercise can help combat your risk for certain cancers, especially breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancer. How much exercise is enough? You should try to engage in 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise at least five times a week.
Avoid dangerous exposure
The obvious and most important one is to quit smoking. Secondly, you should remember to limit your sun exposure, and be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen when you are outside for any significant amount of time. But there are other exposures that are strongly linked to the development of malignancies. For example, exposure to benzene has been linked to leukemia, and exposure to asbestos has been linked to mesothelioma and lung cancer. Similarly, it should also be emphasized here to practice safe sex, as the human papilloma virus (HPV) can also lead to certain cancers.
Screening
For example, the ACS now recommends that women ages 21-29 should get screened every three years as opposed to every year; and women over 40 should get mammograms every year, although this is somewhat controversial.”
Don’t panic!
It’s important to remember that while these are valuable lifestyle recommendations that can help you live a healthier life and reduce your risk of cancer, there is no cancer epidemic. In fact, aside from lung cancer, the cancer rates have not risen over the last fifty years. Be aware of your habits, and moderation, but don’t let cancer prevention consume you or add stress to your life.
See Your Regular Doctor for More Cancer Prevention Information or contact us.
This new column by Dr. Ly Viet Do will cover the latest screening, diagnosis and treatment options related to cancer topics. Knowledge and expertise from Cancer Care Institute will keep you informed about today’s medical advances related to cancer research and care. To discuss cancer prevention further please don’t hesitate to contact the Institute at (408) 729-4673 or at the Cancer Care Institute.
