10 ways to prevent cancer
Humanity continues fighting the cancer thanks to advancements in technology and medicine. Although number of people diagnosed with cancer increase, the survival rate is also raising.
Content of Article
1- Do not smoke
2- Walk, bicycle.
3- Do not consume alcohol.
4- Maintain your optimal body weight
5- Watch out sun and radiation exposure!
6- Eat fresh vegetables and fruits in season.
7- Avoid processed foods.
8- Barbeque is not healthy.
9- Pay attention to infections!
10-Avoid chemical products.
Immunotherapy era in anticancer treatment
Avoid smoking or consuming alcohol to prevent cancer
Two hundred thousand people are diagnosed with cancer every year in Turkey. It is estimated that one of every 2 people will have cancer in next two to three decades. It is, therefore, required to set higher standards in fighting the cancer. The simple way to fight cancer is to prevent development of the disease. You can prevent cancer if you adopt these 10 advices into your lifestyle.
1- Do not smoke
Smoking is one of the most important underlying causes of cancer. Scientific studies show that 90 percent of lung cancers develop secondary to smoking. There are other cancers also caused by smoking: head and neck cancers, esophagus cancer, bladder cancer etc. The risk is directly proportional to starting smoking at an early age, number of cigarettes smoked in a day and the time elapsed since first smoking. Moreover, inhaling the smoke deeply also increases the risk of cancer. To prevent smoking-related cancers, the most accurate approach is not to start smoking at all or quit smoking. The risk gradually decreases after quitting and within 10 to 15 years, it comes close to those who have never smoked.
2- Walk, bicycle.
Regular exercise helps maintain optimal body weight and lower cholesterol, decrease risk of heart attack and prevent hyperglycemia. Maintenance of healthy body weight can decrease the risk of cancer caused by obesity. Studies show that exercising prevents cancer also independently from body weight. Therefore, exercising for one hour in two to three days of a week or exercising for half an hour at home five days a week is quite beneficial.Exercising can also be an activity that you like (swimming, bicycle, tennis etc.).
3- Do not consume alcohol
Scientific studies reveal out that alcohol consumption particularly increases the risk of head and neck cancers, esophagus cancer, pancreas cancer, breast and cancer and liver cancer by leading to cirrhosis in the latter one. History of alcohol consumption and amount of alcohol consumed per day are directly proportional to the risk of cancer.
4- Maintain your optimal body weight
Optimal body weight is not only important to prevent cardiovascular diseases, but also for fighting the cancer. Overweight and obesity can increase risk of breast, ovary, uterus, pancreas and colon cancers. On the other hand, optimal body weight requires an eating style rich in vegetables, grains and legumes as well as a physically active life.
5- Watch out sun and radiation exposure!
Ultraviolet exposure increases the risk of skin cancers. Particularly, sun exposure while sun rays reach the Earth at a vertical angle and long-term cosmetic ultraviolet exposure (i.e. solarium) are dangerous. Wear long-sleeved clothes and use umbrella and sunscreen for protection as long as possible when sun rays hit the Earth at a vertical angle. Radiation exposure can, sometimes, be used for treatment or due to the environmental factors (radon emission by soil). Considering therapeutic procedures, the irradiated body part is at risk. For example, for people who receive radiotherapy for thyroid gland or breasts, these organs should be closely followed up regarding cancer.
6- Eat fresh vegetables and fruits in season
More hormone supplements and chemicals are used in non-seasonal fruits and vegetables; also, seasonal vegetables and fruits have higher nutritive values. For instance, amount of lycopene is higher in a tomato produced in the season. Therefore, it is important to consume vegetables and fruits in season. Nutritive values of vegetables and fruits harvested and frozen in the season are accepted well.
7- Avoid processed foods
It is important to consume fresh foods as much as possible. Foods are processed in certain ways to prolong the shelf life. Pesticides applied to vegetables, fruits and meat products to prevent insects and fungi may also increase the risk of cancer. Polychlorinated biphenyl in processed fish products and sodium benzoate used in other food products may increase the risk of cancer. Consumers are frequently warned that processed meat products (sausage, salami, bologna sausage, luncheon meats) can be harmful.
8- Barbeque is not healthy
Meat-rich nutrition is a serious risk factor not only for preventing heart diseases, but also the cancer. Red meat should be particularly limited to 3 to 4 servings per week. On the other hand, barbeque is not an appropriate cooking method for meat. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that occur while cooking meats on barbeque increase the risk of cancer. If barbeque is still preferred for cooking, it is necessary not to burn the meat.
9- Pay attention to infections!
Studies revealed out that certain infections trigger cancer and cause development of cancers. Hepatitis B and C lead to liver cancer. Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium, can cause stomach cancer. This bacterial infection can be managed with antibiotic agents. Human papilloma virus is a risk factor for cervix cancer, anal canal tumors and head & neck cancers. A vaccine developed for this virus offers substantial protection. In addition, some viruses (Herpes) can cause skin cancer. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increases risk of leukemia and lymphoma by leading to AIDS, it is necessary to know that the infections which lead to cancer are either preventable or treatable in nature.
10-Avoid chemical products
Exposure to chemicals increases proportionally to industrialization. Asbestos which was formerly found in the white soil used in the construction of houses in Anatolia is currently used in industry and buildings for sound and heat insulation in the cities; exposure to this substance increases the risk of cancer. The substances (particularly dioxins) produced by coal, wood and fuel oil cause cancer. Cancer can be seen more commonly in people who are commonly exposed to exhaust (for example those who live nearby busy roads). Heavy metals (mercury, lead and arsenic), aluminum baking papers and phthalates in some toys may also have carcinogenic effects.
Immunotherapy era in anticancer treatment
Immunotherapy is one of the most important and recent developments in treatment of cancer. Deactivation of the immune system is a major factor in development of cancer. Immunotherapy helps the immune system, which is deactivated by cancer, get activated and fight the cancer. Thus, an anticancer power with a longer term is gained. Immunotherapy has fewer side effects relative to conventional chemotherapy and it is usually tolerated better by patients. Outcomes of studies demonstrate that a strengthened immune system can be effective in almost all cancers. Immunotherapy is already involved in standard treatment protocol of some cancers (lung cancer, melanoma, bladder tumors, kidney cancer), studies on other types of cancer continue.
*Information in our web site does not aim to provide guidance for diagnosis and treatment. Do not make any diagnostic and therapeutic procedures before consulting your physician. The articles contain information about therapeutic healthcare services of Acıbadem Healthcare Group.
