Are There Ways to Lower Your Risk of Cancer?

One of the most important risk factors for cancer is genetic in nature, and many will be susceptible to cancer if it is in their genes.

Studies show that many types of cancers that affect adults are associated with a particular lifestyle. Thus, regulating these lifestyles may be helpful in preventing the disease. Making the right choices in life with respect to diet, exercise, and other habits will help to keep one healthy in the long run.

Here are some of the habits that you may want to follow to help lower your risk of cancer:

• Quit smoking – One of the most common types of cancer in our country is lung cancer, and the major cause for lung cancer is smoking. Smoking is associated with other forms of cancer as well. Quitting, or just reducing the number of cigarettes per day, will go a long way in reducing the risk of this disease. Passive smoking is also a culprit in increasing the risk for cancer. Avoiding smoke-filled areas would be the ideal choice for reducing your risk for lung cancer.
• Maintain healthy body weight – Being overweight brings you closer to the deadly hands of different types of cancers, like pancreatic, gall bladder, breast, and kidney cancers. Being in the healthy weight range is one of the preventive measures for cancer.
• Regular exercise – Many experts suggest that having regular physical activity can prevent many forms of cancer. The risk of cancer is found to reduce by almost 50% by this method.
• Healthy foods – Including cancer-preventing foods in your diet is another tip for your longevity. Fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products are all part of this plan.
• Avoid alcohol – Alcohol intake can increase the risk of cancer, particularly for cancer of the throat, esophagus, and mouth.
• Avoid stress – Unwanted stress is the prime factor for indulging in unhealthy habits that increase the risk for the development of cancer. Avoiding stress indirectly helps in preventing this disease.
• Know the family history – Knowing your family history would help you to seek medical attention and go for screenings earlier. Brace yourselves and try to go for a screening to rule out the possibility of any form of cancer that runs in your genes.