Now more than ever, cancer is becoming an increasingly serious health issue. Although risks for developing cancer can often be largely genetic, we can take steps to help reduce the risks of developing cancer or catch it whilst it’s still in its earlier stages and more treatable. We will discuss some of the steps you can take to help protect yourself from cancer in the following post, so keep reading to learn more.
Healthy Eating
One of the simplest ways to help reduce our risk of developing cancer is to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Cutting down on processed foods and red meat is recommended, and eating plenty of vegetables and fruit. Food high in fiber can help keep bowel movements regular, which reduces the risks of developing bowel cancer.
Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is believed to reduce the risk of developing a range of different cancers. New exercise plans should always be cleared by your doctor first, but generally, you should start with milder exercise and build the intensity up gradually if you’re not already used to intense exercise. Exercise such as hiking, cycling, and swimming are all excellent and low-impact forms of exercise.
What’s more, exercise is also great for your cardiovascular and mental health too. The link between cancer and exercise could be that exercise reduces the risk of being overweight, which can be linked to many forms of cancer. Exercise can also help boost your immune system, and support your body in fighting illness and disease.
Cutting Out Smoking
Smoking is one of the most serious and dangerous risks when it comes to developing cancer. The harmful chemicals produced from smoking damage the lining of the lungs, and especially if continued over long periods of time, can lead to cancer developing. Not only do the chemicals produced from smoking damage DNA cells, they also damage cells that repair DNA damage. It’s this that then leads to cancers forming in areas such as the mouth, lungs, stomach, bowels, and many other areas.
Cutting Back On Alcohol Consumption
Regularly drinking large units of alcohol increases the risk of developing a number of different forms of cancer, such as in the liver, esophagus, mouth, and throat. There isn’t a link between specific types of alcohol and cancer, but of course, some alcohol is stronger than others and will raise the units you’re drinking. It is the units of alcohol that predict the risk of developing cancers. Alcohol damages the cells of the body containing DNA. So much like smoking, over time and repeated damage, cancer can form.
Attending Cancer Screenings
Attending regular screenings to check for signs of cancer is one of the best ways to lessen the risk of developing life-threatening cancer. Catching cancer whilst it’s still in its earlier stages means there is more chance it can be treated and a much higher rate of survival. Ezra offers early cancer detection screenings to help give you peace of mind. Don’t give cancer the chance to develop, catch it in its earliest stages.
Mammograms
Mammograms are a form of x-ray used on the breasts to detect early signs of cancer forming in the breast tissue. It can sometimes be difficult to detect cancer lumps in the breast using checks with our hands until they are larger and more developed. Mammograms can detect smaller cancers forming, so treatment can be carried out sooner, and potentially be more successful.
The breast will be placed on a small platform when attending a mammogram. A plate then lowers onto the platform and the breast and compresses it for a matter of seconds. Most women report a mammogram to be slightly uncomfortable but not painful. Whilst the breast is compressed, the x-ray is carried out and several pictures are taken for a specialist to analyze. If they detect any abnormalities, you will be contacted following your visit.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer screening is a test carried out on the walls of the cervix to check for signs of HPV. This is because HPV can cause changes in cells in the cervix, which can later lead to cancer developing. Although the process of cervical screening can be daunting, it is not painful, and only involves a small, soft brush being inserted into the cervix to swab and collect a sample. This then gets sent to a lab for testing.
You will receive the results of your screening following the appointment, and if HPV is detected, you’ll then be invited back for further tests on the cells of your cervix. Making sure you follow a healthy lifestyle and attend screenings for various forms of cancer can all help prevent this disease from affecting your life, so you can get on with living to the fullest.
