Every year, cancer is responsible for around two million deaths. It is the second leading cause of death in developed countries, and the number one cause of death in underdeveloped countries. Due to the severity and prevalence of cancer, it’s crucial to educate yourself on what you can do to prevent it. While science is still working on discovering all the different ways we can prevent cancer, there are certain lifestyle choices you can make that can drastically reduce your risk of developing different types of cancer. In this blog, we will go over some of the changes you can make to do reduce your chances of cancer.
Avoid tobacco
Whether you smoke it or chew it, tobacco’s correlation with cancer is undeniable. Smoking cigarettes has been linked with a variety of cancers, including lung, mouth, throat, pancreas, bladder, cervix, and kidney. Chewing tobacco has been correlated with the development of oral cancer and pancreatic cancer. You don’t have to smoke or chew yourself to suffer the consequences of tobacco; secondhand smoke also increases your chances of developing lung cancer. To prevent cancer, do what you can to avoid tobacco. Don’t smoke or chew, and avoid being around tobacco smoke when you can.
Eat healthily
You can’t guarantee that eating healthy will prevent you from developing cancer, but a healthy diet will certainly reduce your risk. Avoid becoming overweight or obese by maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Additionally, make a point to eat more fruits and vegetables and other plant-based sources of nutrition, such as beans and whole grains. Avoid processed meats, and opt for lean cuts of natural, organic meat such as chicken or fish. Additionally, if you do choose to drink alcohol, only do so in moderation. For men, this means limiting your daily intake to a maximum of two drinks.
Be active
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for several types of cancer, including breast, prostate, colon, kidney, and lung. Therefore, incorporating an exercise regimen into your routine is an important way to maintain a healthy weight and in turn, reduce your risk of cancer. Additionally, there is research to indicate that physical activity in and of itself can help you reduce your risk of certain cancers. For maximum health benefits, make a point to incorporate a minimum of 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week.
Protect yourself from the sun
One of the most common cancers is skin cancer, but it’s also one of the most preventable cancers. There are a few simple steps you can take to prevent skin cancer. For example, the sun is at its strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so avoid direct sunlight during this time. Opt for the shade when you are outdoors, and wear sunglasses and/or a hat. Apply sunscreen anytime you will be venturing outdoors, and cover areas of your skin that will be exposed to sunlight. Additionally, don’t go to tanning salons, as tanning beds pose the same risk as the sun.
Get vaccinated
If you protect yourself from certain viral infections, you can also reduce your cancer risk. Discuss with your physician about how to immunize yourself from hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV). Both of these viral infections can increase your risk of contracting certain cancers.
Come in for regular men’s physicals
By regularly coming in for men’s physicals at Men’s Vitality Center, your chances of discovering cancer early on are far higher, and we are more likely to be able to treat you successfully. Contact us about scheduling a men’s physical, and we can help you with a cancer screening.
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take steps today to prevent cancer and you will thank yourself tomorrow. Contact Men’s Vitality Center for more information on cancer prevention and to schedule your men’s physical today.