Cancer is one of the major causes of death in the United States. Based on statistics, it is estimated that cancer deaths are 164 per 100,000. The number of deaths is usually higher in women than in men.
Can cancer be prevented?
Although there are certain factors in cancer development that you can’t control (e.g. family history), there are things that you can.
Studies have shown that changes in lifestyle can make a difference in lowering your cancer risk. These changes include:
- Quitting smoking
Tobacco smoking is closely linked to different types of cancer, including cancer of the lungs, throat, mouth, larynx, cervix, and kidney.
Deciding to quit is a very important step in reducing your cancer risk. If you are struggling in quitting, you can ask your doctor for stop-smoking products and other possible strategies.
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Obesity doesn’t just place you at risk for heart disease and diabetes, it can also put you at risk for developing cancer of the breast, lung, prostate, and colon.
If you’re obese, it’s important to make the necessary lifestyle changes to lose those excess pounds. This includes incorporating physical activity in your day-to-day activities and changing your eating habits. A diet plan that includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, and lean meat can help you trim up.
- Protecting yourself from the sun
Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer but is also one of the most preventable ones.
Protecting yourself from the sun is one of the best ways of reducing your risk of skin cancer. Aside from using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, it can also help to avoid tanning beds and sunlamps and to seek shade between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
- Getting vaccinated
Some viral infections can cause abnormal growth and proliferation of cells in your body. Examples of which are hepatitis B and human papilloma virus (HPV). Getting vaccines for these can definitely provide protection against these infections.
- Getting checked
Early detection is key to successfully treating cancer. By doing regular self-exams and screenings, you can increase your chances of discovering cancer early. Cancer treatment is most likely to succeed if it’s done on the early phase of the disease.
Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville and Cleveland has surgeons who specialize in cancer detection and treatment. If you have questions regarding cancer screening and treatment, feel free to reach out to us. To request an appointment at one of our offices, you can call (865) 306-5775 or fill out the form here.
References:
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/cancer-prevention/art-20044816