Cancer Prevention: 5 Lifestyle Tips That Can Help Reduce Your Risk
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but there are healthy choices you can make to help lower your risk. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, protecting your skin, avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption, you can reduce your risk of developing many common types of cancer. Regular screenings are also important for early detection, and creating a cancer prevention plan that works for you is key to staying healthy.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Modifying your diet can have an incredible impact on how you feel and could reduce your risk of developing cancer. Eating more plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can provide your body with essential nutrients while reducing the intake of processed foods. Additionally, limiting the consumption of red and processed meats can help reduce the risk of certain types of cancers.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise has a number of benefits, including reducing your risk of developing cancer. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Not only will this help with weight management but it can also help reduce inflammation in the body, which can be a risk factor for certain types of cancers. Along with exercise comes maintaining a healthy weight, which is also important for helping to reduce your risk of developing cancer. Being overweight or having obesity increases your risk of getting cancer. Make sure to talk with your healthcare provider to determine the best exercise routine for you.
Skin Protection
Protecting yourself from too much exposure to ultraviolet rays is important for reducing your risk of developing skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States. Try to wear protective clothing such as a hat, long sleeve shirt, and pants when outdoors and find shady areas. It is also important to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher sunscreen when the UV index is 3 or higher. Reapply it frequently if you are out in the sun for long periods of time.
Avoid Tobacco
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, so avoiding cigarette smoking and tobacco altogether is the best way to ensure you don’t increase your risk of developing lung cancer. If you smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco, quitting as soon as possible is key. Additionally, it is important to avoid second-hand smoke and to know not all lung cancer is caused by smoking. There are a number of resources available to help anyone quit and your doctor can provide additional guidance if needed.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol in excess has been linked to certain types of cancers, so it’s important to limit how much you drink. The type of alcoholic beverage does not matter—the key is to drink responsibly and in moderation. For men, that means no more than two drinks a day and for women, no more than one.
The Importance of Regular Screenings
Cancer screenings are essential for early detection, which can improve the chances of successful treatment and increase a patient’s prognosis. Regular screenings can also help identify possible risk factors that may be present, such as behaviors or lifestyle choices that could lead to an increased chance of developing cancer.
Let Steward Health Care Help You Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
At Steward Health Care, we are committed to helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle and educate you on ways to reduce your risk of cancer. It’s also important to know your family history to determine if they are in a higher risk group for developing certain types of cancer and which vaccinations need to be considered to protect you against cancers such as HPV and Hepatitis. Additionally, regular screenings are essential for early detection and should be part of any comprehensive cancer prevention plan. We hope these helpful tips will empower you with the knowledge necessary to take proactive steps toward preventing cancer today!
To find a provider in our network near you, visit Steward Doctor Finder or call 1-800-488-5959 to learn more about cancer screenings.
Common Questions About Cancer Prevention
How much exercise is required for cancer prevention?
Exercising regularly is an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reducing your risk of developing cancer in the future. A variety of research studies have found that being physically active on a regular basis combined with maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of some types of cancers, including breast, colon, endometrial and kidney cancers.
How much exercise is recommended to help prevent cancer? The American Cancer Society recommends that adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity (such as running) each week to maintain a healthy lifestyle which can contribute to lowering your risk of cancer.
Does a healthy diet have an impact on reducing the risk of getting cancer?
A healthy diet can have a powerful impact on reducing the risk of getting cancer. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as limiting red meat and processed foods, is linked to a lower risk of many types of cancer.
To find a doctor or schedule an appointment, visit Steward DoctorFinder™.
