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:Obesity may be linked to cancers of the breast, colon, thyroid, uterus, kidney, esophagus and gallbladder. Be aware that more people in the world are becoming obese. Aim to be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day, and aim to be reducing caloric intake in a systematic manner. Have a strict regimen of diet and exercise. Do check your BMI. 4. Eat a low fat diet: Excess body fat causes cancer. Foods high in saturated fat are one of the reasons for endometrial, pancreas, kidney, gall bladder, esophagus, breast and ovarian cancers. Low fat diet may reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancers in women. Women with excess fat around the waist have a 63 per cent greater risk of dying from cancer. Try to limit your total fat intake to less than 30 percent of daily calories. Avoid saturated fats, and try to consume Omega-3 fats. 5. Regular Exercise: Lack of physical activity is the cause of major lifestyle diseases. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends exercise 30 minutes a day; 5 days a week for preventing cancer. Greater participation in physical activity can reduce the risk of cancers such as colon and breast. Regular exercise in your teen years can protect you from breast cancer as an adult. Physical activity can lower estrogen, considered a risk factor for breast cancer. 6. Consume fresh fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables have several protective mechanisms for our body. A diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains will reduce the risk of many types of cancer. Aim to eat at least one-third of your food raw. Balance your intake of red, green, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables to cover the full range of photochemical. Besides being high in fiber, fruits and vegetables are natural sources of antioxidants that protect cells from potential damage caused by carcinogens. 7. Avoid red meats and processed meats: Avoid consumption of red meats including beef, pork and lamb and avoid processed meats. Recent studies show that eating cooked red meat may increase the risk of getting cancer because of carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines are created during the cooking process. Processed meats like bacon, sausage, ham and salami are the reason for pancreatic and colorectal cancers, because they are usually high in fat and very salty. 8. Increase your fiber intake: Intake of at least 40 grams of fiber per day will protect you from colon cancer. Dietary fiber can play a role in preventing breast cancer through no estrogen pathways among postmenopausal women. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. This will alkalize your body and enable cells to function at their best. 9. Eliminate processed, sugary and salty food: Eliminate processed foods that deposit toxins into our body. Avoid sugary snacks and drinks. … [Read more...]
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. Please share your opinion. … [Read more...]
Aspirin reduces Breast Cancer Risk by 20%
Pain killer Aspirin reduces the breast cancer risk by about 20%, according to a latest research study by British doctors. Scientists conducted 21 analytical studies on 37,000 women to find the beneficial effects of Aspirin on Breast cancer treatment. But researchers advised caution and requirement for more research before coming to conclusion on recommending to Aspirin to breast cancer patients. Aspirin is already using by many women as a preventive drug for heart attacks and strokes. But Aspirin use along with Breast cancer drugs and their interactions still needs extensive research. Long term use of Aspirin is associated with side effects like stomach ulcers, kidney problems and bleeding. This research study was published in the “International Journal of Clinical Practice (IJCP)". Proven uses of Aspirin: 1. Arthritis treatment. 2. Prevention of heart attacks and Strokes. 3. Delay and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. 4. Prostate diseases. Women should not take aspirin and other NSAIDs as preventive drugs for breast cancer without doctor’s prescription. … [Read more...]
Colon Cancer screening: New guidelines
American Cancer Society recommended two new screening tests for Colon cancer i.e. Virtual Colonoscopy (CTC) and Simple stool examination along with existing tests like Sigmoidoscopy. These new guidelines were released after extensive research and discussions among various medical departments like Oncology, Radiology and Gastroenterology. These new tests are mainly to detect precancerous lesions like polyps. Doctors’ recommendations for screening: These tests are useful for detection of polyps and cancer. 1. Colonoscopy - every 10 years. 2. Sigmoidoscopy - every 5 years. 3. Double-contrast barium enema or virtual colonoscopy - every five years. 4. Faecal occult blood test – every year. 5. Stool DNA testing. 6. Faecal immunochemical test – every year. Who are at risk? 1. Those who have a family history of colon cancer.2. Above 50 years. Colon cancer statistics: Colon cancer kills around 50,000 Americans per year and it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in United States. Around 0.15 million colon cancer cases are detected a year. Click here to know more about these Colon Cancer guidelines. … [Read more...]
How to prevent cancer?
American Institute for Cancer Research has done extensive studies on the prevention of cancer. The researchers did 7,000 extensive studies over 5 years to find the methods to prevent cancer. Tips to prevent Cancer: 1. Stay away from soft drinks and junk foods. These empty high calorie foods are not only responsible for cancer but also for chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. People should try to maintain their Body-Mass-Index (BMI) in between 21-23. 2. Obesity is the number one cause of cancer in non-smokers. Reduce your weight by exercise and healthy diet. Obese people are at high risk for cancers of Pancreas, Colon, Uterus and kidney. Obesity increases breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women. 3. Daily exercise for 30-45 minutes per day is must to stay away from chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes. 4. Vegetarians have low risk of getting cancer when compared to non-vegetarians. Vegetables, fruits and grains consumption reduces cancer risk. Red meat increases cancer risk. Diet is crucial in preventing cancer incidence. 5. Smoking is the number one cause of cancer in the world especially for lung cancer. 6. Excess alcohol consumption is the major factor behind many cancers. Alcoholic women are at high risk when compared to men for same amount of alcohol consumption. 7. Junk foods not only responsible for obesity but also for cancer especially for cancers of gastro-intestinal tract. 8. Increased incidence of breast cancer in women of western countries is mainly due to Alcoholism and absence of breast feeding. 9. Reduce your salt intake. Spicy foods and pickles consumption raises your cancer risk. 10. People who are at risk by birth (genes) should screen regularly for cancer. 11. Diet supplements may not play vital role in preventing most cancer. But Vitamin A&D may prevent few cancers. It is better to consume nutrients through natural diet instead of supplements. According to “Facts Vs Fears Survey”, cancer is the number one health concern for 40% of Americans. If people follow above precautions, we can prevent 30-40% cancer cases. Click here for more information on this cancer prevention study. … [Read more...]
Cancer Diet: low fat foods reduce ovarian cancer risk
Health foods like fruits and vegetables which are low in fat and high in fiber will help postmenopausal women in reducing ovarian cancer risk, according to Women’s Health Initiative dietary study. Women who reduced fat content in their diet have reduced ovarian cancer risk by 40%. This is a complete contrary finding to the WHEL trial (published in the Journal of American medical Association) which found no relation between no relation between diet and breast cancer. This randomized control study was done on 48,835 postmenopausal women over 8 years. The research study was published in the Journal of National Cancer Institute. Low-fat diet reduces ovarian cancer risk by decreasing estrogen production. Ovarian cancer statistics:Ovarian cancer is a rare one which affects 1 in 60 women but it is very difficult to diagnose in the early stage. It is a very serious disease which kills 55% of patients within 5 years. According to American Cancer Society estimates, 22,430 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007 of which 15,280 women will die of it. Ovarian cancer prevention: Currently, use of birth control pills is the only way to reduce ovarian cancer risk and removal of ovaries is the major treatment. Birth control pills will reduce cancer of ovaries by 60%. Pills and fiber diet combination will reduce ovarian cancer risk by more than 80%. Genetic mutation is another major ovarian cancer cause. If women can take these simple modifications in their diet, they can be free of this deadly disease. … [Read more...]
Breast cancer: New guidelines
The Canadian cancer society issued new guidelines for breast cancer patients about examination of their breasts. They no longer need to follow monthly self examination of breasts but they should understand their breasts and alert doctors if they detect any changes. Women should need to be aware of the normal breast tissue and they seek medical advice when they find any changes. Monthly systematic examination of breasts actually does not decrease breast cancer deaths and regular self examination of breasts is associated with a high rate of false positives. Role of Mammogram: But mammogram screening is useful as it can detect a lump that is just millimeters in size. Canadian Cancer society recommends a mammogram every two years for women aged 50 to 69, while women over 40 should have a clinical breast examination by a trained medical professional at least every two years. Women aged 40-49 are urged to discuss risk factors with their doctors. Large lumps or puckering in the skin in your breast tissue when you move your arm are some common signs that identify a tumour inside a breast. Obesity increases the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer and alcohol consumption is another risk factor associates with breast cancer risk. Women who control their weight by regular exercise can decrease breast cancer risk by 40% in the below 50 age group and by 25% in the above 50 age group. Breast cancer prevention:If we can give drugs to women who are at risk of breast cancer in the above 50 age group, we can prevent 50% deaths. Eating diet rich in vetables and fruits, oily fish, less meat and junk food will decrease cancer risk.Regular exercise, healthy diet habits, staying away from Smoking and alcoholism can prevent 50% of breast cancer cases. Women should not use Hormone replacement Therapy for more than 8 years. Prevention will play vital role than treatment for breast cancer in the coming days. … [Read more...]
Cancer cases are on rise in Asian countries
Cancer cases are increasing in Asian countries due to increased adaptation of western habits like eating junk foods, smoking and alcoholism even in females. According to some studies, there will be 60% increase in cancer incidence in Asian countries. Increased industrialization (pollution), low literacy rates and poor health care standards are other major reasons for increased cancer rates. Screening tests for cancer are rarely done in poor Asian countries due to low quality of health care. Rising economic standards and globalisation added fuel to the fire. Cancer statistics: 45% of cancer deaths are reported from Asia-Pacific countries. If proper measures are not taken, this will rise to 70% by 2020. China alone accounts for 20% new cancer cases and is the 2nd most cause of medical deaths in China. Due to increased screening and preventive measures, cancer deaths are in decline in Western countries. According to World health organisation (WHO), 40% CANCERS are preventable by good diet habits, exercise and stay away from smoking. Smoking is the major reason for these deaths with Lung Cancer is the number one cancer in Asian countries followed by stomach and liver cancers. Hepatitis B Viral infection is the major reason for liver cancer. Human Papilloma virus (HPV) is another cancer causative factor. How to control cancer incidence and prevent cancer deaths? 1. Lack of screening facilities like Mammogram and Pap smear in poor Asian countries. 2. Increase in smoking and Alcoholism in Asian countries especially China and India.3. Non-availability of vaccines against HPV and Hepatitis B in poor countries.4. Poor health care standards and economic standards.5. Expensive chemotherapy is not affordable to poor Asians.6. Low illiteracy levels there by lack of health education.7. Asian Governments need to spend more money to raise health care standards.8. Governments should ban smoking in public places and in movies and relative ads in other popular mediums. Don’t forget 40% cancer cases are preventable. … [Read more...]
Breast cancer is the number one killer cancer
Breast Cancer Statistics: Among cancer killers, Breast cancer jumped from no.3 to no.1 place within 10 years. 25% of breast cancer patients are below the age of 50 years. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women. Around 40,000 American women are falling prey to breast cancer. It is on rise among new age women who are highly ambitious and are working under severe stress. New age women are staying away from pregnancy and lactation due to work load and wrong notions. Due to this, they are suffering from harmful effects of Estrogen like Breast cancer which are normally nullified by lactation and pregnancy. Risk factors for Breast Cancer: 1. Hereditary. 2. Stressful work like. 3. Some Chemicals (latest research) 4. Late marriage and pregnancy (after 35) 5. Staying away from breast feeding. 6. Alcoholism and Smoking. 7. Junk food and fat diet. Breast Cancer Prevention: Breast cancer is a preventable disease with regular screening. High risk women should undergo screening from 30 years onwards. All women over 40 should be screened for Breast cancer annually. According to latest research by National Cancer Research, screening for breast cancer is in decline in American women. … [Read more...]
Breast Cancer in Females – Causes
Breast cancer in females occupies second place among all the cancers in Indians as per the world Health organization‘s (WHO) report. It is reported that 80,000 females are affected by breast Cancer in 2002. With increase in disposable income and change in diet and life style, Breast cancer is on rise among Indians. Causes of Breast Cancer: 1. Not taking preventive measures. 2. If mother and sisters are also having the history of the breast cancer. 3. Infertility. 4. Who become pregnant after attaining 30 years of age. 5. Menopause after50 years of age. 6. Increase in weight after menopause. 7. Taking H.R.T.(Hormone Replacement therapy) 8. Menarche (first menstrual cycle) at the age of 12 years. 9. On oral contraceptive pills for more than 5 years. 10. Taking more fatty diet. Prevention of Breast Cancer: 1. Every woman has to check her breasts personally after attaining 30 years of age. 2. Monthly once, fix a day or date for testing her self the breasts. Consult the doctor if you find any of the following symptoms and signs: 1. When touch by the hand, if you find any change in the size and structure of the breast. 2. Any swelling or solid mass, redness in the breasts. 3. Itching sensation and Utricaria on the nipple or around it. 4. In drawing of the nipples. 5. Any secretion from the nipples. 6. Pain in the breasts, not relating to menstrual cycle time. Test: Mammogram: This test should be done annually from 30 years onwards especially in women who are at risk. Follow the natural rules in marriage, having children and breast feeding. Reduce fat diet and take more vegetables and fruits. Stay away from fast foods. … [Read more...]
