Keeping Cancer Away

Cancer does not have to be a “kiss of death” and you have no reason to fear that you will automatically die if you have it. In addition, you might not know that half of all cancers can actually be prevented. There have been a great number of changes in how cancer is detected and treated in recent years—changes that have made cancer not as severe a problem. Cancers are mostly

related to our lifestyle. Changing your lifestyle can make all the difference in the world when it comes to getting cancer.

Cancer depends on your level of activity, on your eating habits, how much you stay in the sun, tobacco use, alcohol use, hygiene levels, and sexual behavior. In women, it is cervical, uterine or breast cancer that makes up about half of all cancers. In men, half of all cancers are related to tobacco abuse, whether it is smoked or chewed. The cancers include those of the esophagus, lung, throat, larynx and bladder cancers. Cancer is, in fact, 84 times more likely in smokers than in those who have never smoked. Heavy cigarette smokers have a 75 times risk of getting lung cancer.

In women, cervical cancer is related to poor genital hygiene and the acquisition of a human papilloma virus infection via a sexually transmitted disease. It is more common among low socioeconomic women and women who live in developing countries or are uneducated. Fortunately, there is now a vaccine against human papilloma virus infections which prevent many cervical cancer cases from happening.

There are genetic factors in play when it comes to breast cancer. If women are screened for these genetic cancers and have careful monitoring or mastectomies before getting cancer, they are more likely to live long and productive, cancer-free lives. The genes related to breast cancer include BRCA1 and BRCA2. They can be tested for and decisions made if a woman turns out to be positive for either one or both of these genes. Genetic factors also are related to getting cancer of the endometrium and cancers of the colon and rectum but screening tests for the exact genes aren’t yet available.

True prevention of cancer depends on lifestyle changes. These include things like avoiding meat and animal fat and eating a lot of fiber, fruits and vegetables. Control of obesity plays a role in not getting breast cancer, colon cancer and other cancers. Dietary fiber plays a role in not getting colorectal cancer and increased consumption of vitamins C, E and carotenoids reduce the risk of cancer, probably by being good antioxidants.

Stopping smoking or never starting is a way to prevent up to 48 percent of all male cancers and 13 percent of female cancers. There are more smokers in developing countries that also have poorer cancer care and increased cancer death.

Finally, cancer detection can be preventative against cancer deaths. Colorectal screening makes a difference as does mammography and cervical cancer screening.