Wednesday, March 23, 2011

How to Lower Cancer Risk


There is a cancer center or alternative cancer treatment that can promise a cure. However, it is important to note that we have the power to raise or lower our cancer risk. In fact, the choices we make in daily life appears to have a major impact our chances of contracting cancer. "Evidence shows that one-third of the 550,000 cancer deaths that occur in the United States each year are caused by unhealthy diets and physical inactivity" (Source: Dr. Tim Byers, and Colleen Doyle, MS, RD of the American Cancer Society).

Sun-block
Experts, such as those at the American Cancer Society, point to some behavior modification can be done to reduce cancer risk. For example, wear and minimize exposure to sunlight may reduce the risk of skin cancer. Reduce or stop smoking altogether will reduce the risk of various types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth and throat cancer. Other lifestyle changes that can reduce cancer risk include limiting alcohol consumption and high fat foods.

Although rarely mentioned in major media, scientists now realize that perhaps the biggest cause of cancer in our society today is the lack of exercise. As a matter of fact, no statement to say that the best cancer insurance you can buy today is to invest in gym memberships.

"For most Americans who do not smoke, eat healthy foods and being physically active is the most important ways to reduce cancer risk" (Source: Dr. Tim Byers, and Colleen Doyle, MS, RD of the American Cancer Society). Regular exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight, which is important for cancer prevention. Being overweight or obese have a higher risk of several cancers, including breast and colon cancer, esophageal cancer, and kidney cancer.

"Being overweight is working in a variety of ways to increase the risk of cancer. This includes mechanical ways that obesity causes stomach acid reflux into the esophagus, and hormonal means, in which obesity increases circulating levels of hormones such as estrogen and insulin that can stimulate cancer growth. Achieve ideal body weight does not need the first goal, though, such as substantial benefits can be derived from the first stop weight gain, then starts to reach a modest amount of weight loss. "(Source: Dr. Tim Byers, and Colleen Doyle, MS, RD of the American Cancer Society). The only way to get the weight and normalize hormone balance is through regular exercise.