7 Ways To Reduce Your Cancer Risk
In some cases, disease and illness are an inevitable part of life. Certain forms of illness can be passed down genetically, or contracted accidentally from another person. However, when it comes to frightening life-limiting illnesses like cancer, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of becoming unwell. Follow these 7 steps to cut down the likelihood that you’ll suffer from certain forms of cancer.
Boost your antioxidant intake
Antioxidants are crucial to maintaining a healthy body that’s ready and able to fight off cancer. While antioxidants can be found in some supplements, vegetables, and fruits, there are certain drinks that are a rich source of the powerhouse compounds. For example, organic matcha green tea is a great source of catechins, a rare antioxidant with unique cancer-fighting abilities.
Slather on the sunscreen
The simplest way to prevent the onset of skin cancer is to protect your skin from the sun throughout your life. This means wearing a high SPF sunscreen whenever you leave the house, even when it’s cloudy, and staying in the shade on days when the sun is bearing down. This simple step could have a major impact on your health in the future.
Keep your weight in check
Being overweight is an automatic risk factor for several forms of cancer, including kidney, breast, and colon cancer. In order to eliminate this particular risk, aim to maintain a healthy weight at all times. Clean up your diet if poor nutrition is leading you over a healthy BMI, and visit a dietician if you’re unsure how to make the right changes.
Stay away from smoking
It’s no secret that cigarette smoking has a direct causal relation to cancer. If you still haven’t put the cigarettes down for good, now is the time. It’s rarely easy, but it’s definitely worth the effort. If you’ve been struggling to quit smoking, take a visit to your GP and discuss the problem with them – they’re sure to have some useful suggestions to help you stop.
Stay alert and have frequent check-ups
Many forms of cancer can be detected and treated before they advance to a more dangerous stage. Make sure you stay on top of your health by keeping an eye out for worrying symptoms and visiting your doctor regularly for screening and check-ups. Be aware of your family history, too, as this can have an impact on your health.
Limit your alcohol intake
Many of us like a drink every now and again, but drinking too heavily can increase your risk for developing particular forms of cancer. If you have more alcohol than the current government recommended allowance, you should consider cutting down on the booze.
Eat well and get active
An overall healthy lifestyle can certainly reduce your cancer risk. While nutritional recommendations can vary, most scientists now believe that a Mediterranean diet including whole grains, olive oil, fish, lean meat, and plenty of vegetables is the best for fighting cancer. Stay away from sugar and processed meat, and opt for fruits and vegetables over simple carbohydrates and unhealthy snacks. You should also aim to stay active as much as possible – even walking short distances on a regular basis can help a previously sedentary person become fitter and healthier over time.
