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Primary Prevention of Cancer

Most people are interested in ways to improve or maintain their health. By making simple lifestyle changes, you can lower your risk of developing many conditions like cancer. Although there's no surefire technique for warding off cancer, there are ways to decrease the likelihood of developing a tumor and increase your survival chances if you do develop cancer.

  1. Significance

    • Cancer is a scary and life-threatening condition that involves the development of malignant cells or tumors. Early detection is key to beating cancer. Cancer caught in a later stage can spread to nearby organs and throughout the body, when it becomes more difficult to treat.

    Time Frame

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, cancer screenings can save lives and improve your odds of survival. Schedule annual screenings for colon, breast, prostate, skin and cervical cancer. Doctors can detect early signs of cancer (precancerous cells) and encourage the removal of such benign growths to stop the development of cancer.

    Considerations

    • An active lifestyle is another key to prevent cancer (breast, colon and prostate) and maintain your overall well-being. You don't have to spend hours a day at the gym or exercising. Evaluate your current schedule and find a way to squeeze at least 30 minutes of physical activity into your day--a brisk walk around your neighborhood, biking or exercising to a video.

    Prevention/Solution

    • If you want to lower your risk of cancer, adopt healthier eating habits. According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, fatty foods such as fast foods, red meats and fried foods increase the risk of cancer. On the other hand, a low-fat diet loaded with antioxidants (fruits and vegetables) can promote healthy cells and ward off malignancies.

    Expert Insight

    • In conjunction with diet, exercise and screenings, other lifestyle factors play a major role in the development of cancer. And lowering your risk often calls for modifications and moderation.

      For example, prevent the development of skin cancer by simply protecting your skin from the sun's UV rays. Apply sunscreen as needed and wear protective garments. Smoking plays a role in lung, throat and oral cancer. Protecting yourself against these types of cancer involves kicking the tobacco habit and limiting your intake of alcoholic beverages.

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