April is National Cancer Control Month, but when doesn’t it seem to be cancer control month these days?
Cancer has become such an unpleasant word that carries such frightening implications. No one wants to spend too much time tallying their risk factors or otherwise pondering the subject.
And because it’s impossible to ensure 100% protection against all types of cancer, it’s really not necessary or helpful to focus on the “what ifs.”
However, there is a good reason to keep this widespread and potentially devastating disease on your radar. Prevention is possible!
The bonus is that most cancer prevention measures are all around healthy lifestyle strategies, which also improve overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Here are tips to reduce your risk of cancer, as well as enhance total well-being:
- Don’t use tobacco. Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with cancer. Even secondhand smoke can increase your risk.
- Eat a healthy diet. This includes eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, limiting unhealthy fat intake, and if you drink alcohol, doing so only in moderation.
- Maintain a healthy weight and include physical activity in your daily routine. Aim for 30 minutes of activity; if you can do more, even better.
- Protect yourself from the sun. Avoid midday sun, when the sun’s rays are harshest, cover exposed skin, and use sunscreen.
- Get immunized. Cancer prevention includes protecting yourself from certain viral infections, including Hepatitis B and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
- Avoid risky behaviors such as unprotected sex, needle sharing, and high-risk alcoholic drinking.
- Take early detection seriously. Discovering cancer early can make treatment more likely to be successful. Get regular screenings and perform regular self-exams.