Cancer is a scary word but understanding what causes it and how to lower your risk can make it less daunting. Let’s put it in plain language.
What is cancer?
When body cells grow uncontrollably, cancer is the result. Normally, our cells grow, divide, and die in an orderly way. But with cancer, this process goes haywire. Instead of dying, cancer cells keep growing and forming more abnormal cells.
Types of Cancer
Different parts of the body are affected by different types of cancer. Skin cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer are a few common ones.
What causes cancer?
1. Genetic Factors
Sometimes, genes that we inherit from our parents can increase our chances of getting cancer. While we cant change our genes knowing about them can help us take steps to lower our risk.
2. Environmental Factors
Things in the environment around us, like pollution, radiation, and chemicals, can damage our cells and make them more likely to turn into cancer. Keeping ourselves away from these dangerous substances can help lower our risk.
3. Lifestyle Choices
The way we live our lives can also affect our risk of cancer. Smoking, eating unhealthy foods not getting enough exercise, and drinking too much alcohol can all increase our chances of developing cancer. Making healthier choices can lower our risk.
4. Viral Infections
Certain viruses, like HPV and hepatitis B, can cause cancer. Getting vaccinated against these viruses can protect us from developing associated cancers.
How to Prevent Cancer
Now that we know some of the things that can cause cancer. Lets talk about what we can do to lower our risk.
1. Eat Healthy Foods
Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins gives our bodies the nutrients they need to stay healthy and fight off cancer.
2. Stay Active
Regular exercise not only helps us stay in shape but also lowers our risk of cancer. Make sure you fit in about 30 minutes of exercise almost every day.
3. Don’t Smoke
Smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer so quitting smoking or never starting in the first place is one of the best things we can do for our health.
4. Limit Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can increase our risk of developing certain cancers, so it’s best to limit how much we drink.
5. Protect Your Skin
Exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can increase our risk of skin cancer. To protect ourselves, we should wear sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses when we’re outside and try to stay in the shade during the sunniest parts of the day.
Conclusion
While cancer can be scary knowing what causes it and how to prevent it empowers us to take control of our health. By making simple lifestyle changes and staying vigilant about screenings and vaccinations we can lower our risk of developing cancer and live healthier lives.
FAQs
1. Can I lower my risk of cancer even if it runs in my family?
Yes, by avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight.
2. How can I tell if something Im doing is increasing my risk of cancer?
Watch out for smoking, sun exposure, and harmful chemicals. Regular check-ups can help
3. Is there anything I can do to lower my risk of cancer that doesnt involve changing my diet or exercise habits?
Avoid tobacco, limit alcohol, protect from sun, and reduce exposure to harmful substances.
4. Do I need to worry about getting vaccinated for cancer if I’m already an adult?
It depends on your risk factors and the available vaccines. Consult your doctor.
5. How frequently should I have a cancer screening?
Depends on your factors. Talk to your doctor for the right schedule.