Ways to Prevent Cancer

Uncontrolled growth of cells in the body invading adjacent tissues and organs is known as cancer. It is a horrifying progressive disease which when undetected or when left untreated can metastasize (spread to other locations in the body through lymph or blood) and can cause death. Cancer is one of the most common causes of human deaths every year. It affects people of all ages but studies show that aging increases the risk for most types of cancers. In majority of cancers, doctors cannot tell the exact cause of the disease, but after knowing the risk factors for cancer; precautions can be taken to prevent the disease.

What Leads to Development of Cancer

There exist several risk factors for cancer. Hormonal imbalances due to excessive stress, immune system dysfunction, exposure to radon gas, which is a sources of ionizing radiation, excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, wrong diet, obesity, lack of exercise, physical inactivity, certain occupational and chemical exposures can cause cancer. Genetic factors like errors in DNA replication, mutations, inherited abnormalities in the genetic material can promote genetic changes in cells and make them become cancerous. Infections caused by some viruses can lead to cancer. For example, human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer, Helicobacter pylori can cause gastric carcinoma, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can cause liver cancer. Similarly, contact with carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, certain harmful chemicals, or infectious agents can result in malignant growth of cells. For example, tobacco smoking can cause lung cancer, alcohol may cause liver cancer.

How to Prevent Cancer

• Many herbs and herbal teas like green tea help reduce the risk of cancer. Studies suggest that regular use of garlic and onion can reduce the incidences of cancers. Some medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, Agaricus blazei, Maitake, and Trametes versicolor help boost the immune system and provide anti-cancer effect.
• Avoiding the use of commercial pesticides, eating organic food, consuming ideal levels of vitamins and minerals can improve your immune system function and help prevent different types of cancers. Scarcity of vitamins and minerals weakens your immune system. Leading a healthy and stress free lifestyle helps avoid hormonal imbalance which in turn, helps lower the risk of cancer.
• People diagnosed with cancer can undergo surgical procedures to remove cancer. Various treatment options like chemotherapy, radiation therapy help kill remaining cancer cells. Changing bad habits, leading a healthy lifestyle, opting for hormone replacement therapy as suggested by the doctor, are some of the ways to prevent cancer which are especially helpful for cancer patients.
• You can prevent cancer by avoiding environmental or lifestyle related risk factors. Avoiding smoking, alcohol abuse, physical inactivity, avoiding obesity by maintaining proper weight for height, following a healthy balanced diet, avoiding sexually transmitted diseases by taking proper care, avoiding excessive use of exogenous hormones, exposure to ionizing radiation, ultra-violate rays of the sun, harmful chemicals like benzene, avoiding inhaling asbestos fibers are some of the natural ways to prevent cancer.
• Healthy diet plays an important role in preventing this deadly disease. Statistics show that gastric cancer is common in Japan while colon cancer is more common in the U.S. Obesity increases the risk of developing certain cancers. Avoiding foods cooked at high temperatures, like grilled meat, reducing the intake of red meat and processed meat, high fat, high calorie food, refined sugars and other simple carbohydrates is necessary to avoid obesity and cancer as well. Studies show that consuming mostly foods of plant origin can reduce the risk of cancer. Reducing the intake of salt and avoiding moldy grains and legumes is helpful in preventing cancer. You should eat maximum fish, fruits and vegetables. Fish is rich in omega 3 fatty acids and most fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zinc and copper which help strengthen your immune system and help lower the chances of developing cancer. Scarcity of vitamin D can cause skin cancer.

Ways to prevent cancer, mentioned above, may not be scientifically proved but there is no harm in following them when some studies show that they reduce the risk of cancer. According to the estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO) about 15 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the year 2020. This indicates a 50% increase in the cancer cases which is quite startling. Statistics show that tobacco is the main culprit that is responsible for 33% (one in three) of all cancer deaths in the developed world, and about 20% (one in five) worldwide. Many cancers are cured when detected in earlier stages. Routine checkup indirectly helps prevent cancers. So, never postpone your doctor's appointment and do not hesitate to go for routine checkup.