There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer. Here are some of the most important:
Don't smoke. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable
death in the United States, and it is responsible for about 30% of all cancer
deaths.
Avoid secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is also a major
cancer risk factor. If you live with someone who smokes, ask them to leave or
smoke outside.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or overweight
increases your risk of many kinds of cancer, including colon, breast,
endometrial, and kidney cancer.
Eat a healthy diet. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, & whole
grains. Limit processed meats, red meat, and sugary drinks.
Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of
moderate-intensity workout most days of the week.
Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of
30 or higher, & reapply each two hours, or more often if you are sweating
or swimming. Avoid tanning beds.
Other things you can do to reduce your cancer risk
include:
Get vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B. These viruses
can cause cancer of the cervix, liver, and other organs.
Get regular cancer screenings. Screening tests can help find
cancer initial, when it is most treatable.
Be aware of your family history of cancer. If you have a
family history of cancer, talk to your doctor about your risk and whether you
need to be screened more often.
It is important to note that there is no sure way to prevent
cancer. However, by making healthy choices and getting regular screening tests,
you can reduce your risk of developing this serious disease.
Here are some additional tips for reducing your cancer
risk:
Manage stress. Chronic stress can increase your risk of
cancer. Find healthy ways to achieve stress, such as exercise, yoga, or
meditation.
Get enough sleep. Most grownups need 7-8 hours of sleep per
night.
Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol can increase your risk of
numerous types of cancer, counting breast, colorectal, and liver cancer.
Avoid exposure to environmental toxins. This includes things
like asbestos, benzene, and radon.
Get vaccinated against other infectious diseases, such as
HIV and hepatitis C.
If you have any questions or concerns about your cancer
risk, talk to your doctor. They can help you develop a personalized plan to
reduce your risk.
What kills cancer cells in the body obviously?
The body has a number of natural defenses against cancer,
including
The immune system: The immune system is constantly
patrolling the body for cancer cells and other threats. When it finds cancer
cells, it sends out specialized cells to attack and destroy them.
Apoptosis: Apoptosis is a process by which cells
self-destruct. Cancer cells often have defects that prevent them from
undergoing apoptosis, which makes them more likely to survive and grow.
Tumor suppressor genes: Tumor suppressor genes help to keep
cells from becoming cancerous. When these genes are mutated, cancer can
develop.
DNA repair genes: DNA repair genes help to fix mistakes in
DNA that could lead to cancer. When these genes are mutated, cancer can
develop.
While the body has these natural defenses, cancer can still
develop. This is because cancer cells are often able to evade the immune
system, prevent apoptosis, and overcome defects in tumor suppressor genes and
DNA repair genes.
Researchers are still learning about how to harness the
body's natural defenses against cancer. Some promising areas of research
include:
Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a type of cancer action that
uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy drugs can help
to boost the resistant system's ability to know and destroy cancer cells.
Apoptosis induction: Researchers are developing drugs that
can induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This could help to kill cancer cells that
are resistant to other treatments.
Tumor suppressor gene therapy: Researchers are developing
gene therapy techniques to repair defects in tumor suppressor genes. This could
help to prevent cancer cells from developing or growing.
DNA repair gene therapy: Researchers are developing gene
therapy techniques to enhance the activity of DNA repair genes. This could help
to prevent cancer cells from developing or growing.
While more research is needed, these are some of the ways
that scientists are working to harness the body's natural defenses against
cancer.