14 Tips to prevent cancer

According to American Cancer Society (ACS), the main reasons for cancer death in 2009 are due to smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and poor nutrition. If we are aware of our health, it is easy to prevent cancer. Here are some tips that may reduce the risk of cancer.

1. Avoid tobacco consumption:

Smoking is the main reason for lung cancer. Smoking is responsible for almost 9 out of 10 lung cancer death. The top 5 or 6 types of cancers in men are all tobacco related cancers which include lung cancer, esophagus cancer, laryngeal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, stomach cancer etc. Using tobacco is one of the major reasons for cervical as well as ovarian cancer for woman. Refraining from tobacco use provides other health benefits besides lowering cancer risk.

2. Limit alcohol intake:

Alcohol is associated with an increased risk of number of cancers. Over consumption of alcohol are the main causes of mouth, larynx, pharynx, liver and esophagus cancers. It also increases the risk for colon as well as rectal cancer. Breast cancer in women is also associated with alcohol intake. So try to limit your daily intake of alcohol to two drinks for men and one drink for women.

3. Maintain Weight:

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Cancer will cause more medical deaths in 2010

Cancer will become number one killer by 2010, according world cancer report issued by World Health Organization. Heart diseases are now causing highest number of medical deaths in the world. People from poor and developing countries will suffer more due to changing diet habits, smoking and poor health care and non-availability of proper screening procedures. Cancer in 2010 will cause more deaths the combined death toll of AIDS, T.B and Malaria.

Lung cancer due to smoking is the major reason for rising cancer deaths as mortality rate is very high in lung cancer. Cervical cancer is the major cause for cancer deaths in women in developing nations due to lack of screening to detect cancer in early stage and lack of vaccination against HPV.

Cancer deaths are falling in developed nations due to proper health facilities, decline in smoking habit, regular screening, vaccination against HPV and Hepatitis, better cancer awareness and affordability to take cancer treatment. Adoption of Western habits like eating junk food, lack of exercise and increase in bad habits like smoking and alcoholism are leading causes for increase in cancer in developing nations like India and China.

Cancer statistics:

1. About 12 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in this year. 8 million people will die due to cancer in 2008.

2. About 27 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed by 2030, according to World Cancer Report. 17 million deaths occur due to cancer.

3. Lung cancer has highest mortality rate among all major cancers.

Cancer and Smoking:

40% of smokers are living in India and China out of 1.3 billion smokers in the world. Smoking causes lung cancer which kills more people than any other type of cancer.

Governments of developing nations should provide free screening procedures to all women to prevent deaths from diseases like cervical cancer and breast cancer. They should do mass scale vaccination against Hepatitis and HPV.


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10 tips to reduce Cancer risk

American Cancer Society is recommending following health guidelines to reduce Cancer risk by 50%. By making simple changes to your lifestyle and eating habits, you can reduce risk for cancers like Lung, breast and colon etc by more than 30-50%.

10 health tips to reduce cancer risk?
1. Stay away from smoking and chewing of tobacco products to reduce risk of lung cancer, Mouth, colon cancer and urinary bladder cancer incidence.

2. Regular screening for major cancers. We can prevent cancers of breast, prostate, colon, skin and cervix by screening.

3. Reduce alcohol consumption to prevent cancers of breast, colon, pancreas, oesophagus and head-neck.

4. Use sunscreen to prevent skin cancer or reduce incidence.

5. Regular exercise for 3-4 hours per week will reduce cancer incidence by 30-50%.

6. Control your weight by making proper diet changes and with regular exercise to prevent cancers of colon, breast, pancreas, kidney, liver and endometrium. Junk foods are major culprits for rise in obesity incidence.

7. Women should not post-menopausal hormonal therapy to reduce risk for cancers of breast, ovary and endometrial cancers.

8. Avoid exposure to carcinogens and radiation.

9. Vegetarians have low risk of getting cancer. Eat foods and green leafy vegetables and stay away from high calorie foods like soft drinks.

10. One should take proper medication to reduce cancer risk by consulting oncologist.

More than 30% cancer deaths are preventable. We can reduce cancer occurrence by more than 30% if we follow above measures.

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