Proactive for prevention - getting healthier in 2012
Although a portion of your health is related to your genes and DNA makeup, there are still many outside factors that contribute to overall wellness. The American Cancer Society is challenging each individual in 2012 to adopt lifestyle changes that will help them become healthier and reduce certain cancer risks in their lives.
“Many small changes can be implemented into your life that will help reduce your risk of certain cancers,” said Wendy Simpkins, senior director of media relations for the ACS. “For starters, if you can maintain a healthy weight, that in itself may lower the risk of various types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney cancers. Physical activity is important, too In addition to helping you control your weight, physical activity on its own may lower the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.”
It is suggested that everyone have a goal of at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, and if you can work in more exercise time than that, it’s even better. Physical activity is not just a way to reduce cancer risks, but it also helps lower your risk of heart disease as well.
Although making healthy choices at mealtime cannot guarantee cancer prevention, it may help reduce your risk if you follow some simple rules. When you are at the grocery store, pay attention to what you are putting in your cart and ask yourself this question, “is this product good for me or not?” You will know the answer, but whether or not you listen is up to you.
“Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables,” Simpkins said. “You should try and base your diet on fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources such as whole grains and beans. It is also important to limit fat, especially the fat from animal sources. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, because some cancer risks increase when absorbing large amounts of alcohol.”
The number one risk factor where cancer is concerned is tobacco use. It is also the number one risk factor that you can control. According to Simpkins, using any type of tobacco puts you at a greater risk of developing cancer.
“For example, smoking has been linked to various types of cancer including lung cancer, bladder cancer, cervix and kidney cancer,” she shared. “Chewing tobaccos has been linked to cancer of the oral cavity and pancreas and even if you don’t use tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke may increase your risk of lung cancer.”
Avoiding any form of tobacco is a huge step you can take to protect yourself from cancer. It will also make you healthier overall and can help with blood pressure and breathing issues. Every health professional agrees, tobacco is deadly so find a way to quit in 2012. There are lots of medications and new methods to assist you in quitting. Talk to your doctor about your desire to quit and he or she can help you find the right method for you.
Avoiding the sun and wearing sunscreen are other ways you can help reduce your risk of cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, can be fatal and is very serious. Wearing sunscreen and avoiding the sun when the rays are at their strongest is an important action to take. Tanning beds have also been linked to early skin cancers and avoiding tanning beds and sunlamps is strongly encouraged.
“Small lifestyle changes can really make a big impact in the long run,” Simpkins said. “Another important aspect to prevention is early detection. Having regular check-ups and screenings is so important to maintaining good health. The earlier a cancer is detected the better the treatment and outcome can be.”
Screening guidelines for breast cancer include: yearly mammograms beginning at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health; clinical breast exam every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
Screening guidelines for colon cancer should begin at age 50 for both men and women and should include a colonoscopy every 10 years, as well as an annual fecal occult blood test.
Screening for cervical cancer is recommended every year for a regular Pap test or every two years for the newer liquid-based Pap test. Beginning at age 30, women who have had three normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every two to three years. Women 70 years of age or older who have had three or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having Pap tests.
Men should talk with their doctor at age 50 about the pros and cons of prostate testing. If you are African American or have a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65, you should have this talk with your doctor starting at age 45. If you decide to be tested, you should have the PSA blood test with or without a rectal exam. How often you are tested will depend on your PSA level.
The American Cancer Society offers many programs that focus on prevention. For more information, visit the ACS website at http://www.cancer.org.
“We encourage everyone to visit our website,” Simpkins added. “There are several programs and lots of information that can help reduce cancer risks. The ACS is a great organization that can help you with information whether you have a cancer diagnosis or you just want to learn more about prevention. We want everyone to enjoy a healthier 2012.”
“Many small changes can be implemented into your life that will help reduce your risk of certain cancers,” said Wendy Simpkins, senior director of media relations for the ACS. “For starters, if you can maintain a healthy weight, that in itself may lower the risk of various types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney cancers. Physical activity is important, too In addition to helping you control your weight, physical activity on its own may lower the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.”
It is suggested that everyone have a goal of at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, and if you can work in more exercise time than that, it’s even better. Physical activity is not just a way to reduce cancer risks, but it also helps lower your risk of heart disease as well.
Although making healthy choices at mealtime cannot guarantee cancer prevention, it may help reduce your risk if you follow some simple rules. When you are at the grocery store, pay attention to what you are putting in your cart and ask yourself this question, “is this product good for me or not?” You will know the answer, but whether or not you listen is up to you.
“Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables,” Simpkins said. “You should try and base your diet on fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources such as whole grains and beans. It is also important to limit fat, especially the fat from animal sources. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, because some cancer risks increase when absorbing large amounts of alcohol.”
The number one risk factor where cancer is concerned is tobacco use. It is also the number one risk factor that you can control. According to Simpkins, using any type of tobacco puts you at a greater risk of developing cancer.
“For example, smoking has been linked to various types of cancer including lung cancer, bladder cancer, cervix and kidney cancer,” she shared. “Chewing tobaccos has been linked to cancer of the oral cavity and pancreas and even if you don’t use tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke may increase your risk of lung cancer.”
Avoiding any form of tobacco is a huge step you can take to protect yourself from cancer. It will also make you healthier overall and can help with blood pressure and breathing issues. Every health professional agrees, tobacco is deadly so find a way to quit in 2012. There are lots of medications and new methods to assist you in quitting. Talk to your doctor about your desire to quit and he or she can help you find the right method for you.
Avoiding the sun and wearing sunscreen are other ways you can help reduce your risk of cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, can be fatal and is very serious. Wearing sunscreen and avoiding the sun when the rays are at their strongest is an important action to take. Tanning beds have also been linked to early skin cancers and avoiding tanning beds and sunlamps is strongly encouraged.
“Small lifestyle changes can really make a big impact in the long run,” Simpkins said. “Another important aspect to prevention is early detection. Having regular check-ups and screenings is so important to maintaining good health. The earlier a cancer is detected the better the treatment and outcome can be.”
Screening guidelines for breast cancer include: yearly mammograms beginning at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health; clinical breast exam every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
Screening guidelines for colon cancer should begin at age 50 for both men and women and should include a colonoscopy every 10 years, as well as an annual fecal occult blood test.
Screening for cervical cancer is recommended every year for a regular Pap test or every two years for the newer liquid-based Pap test. Beginning at age 30, women who have had three normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every two to three years. Women 70 years of age or older who have had three or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having Pap tests.
Men should talk with their doctor at age 50 about the pros and cons of prostate testing. If you are African American or have a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65, you should have this talk with your doctor starting at age 45. If you decide to be tested, you should have the PSA blood test with or without a rectal exam. How often you are tested will depend on your PSA level.
The American Cancer Society offers many programs that focus on prevention. For more information, visit the ACS website at http://www.cancer.org.
“We encourage everyone to visit our website,” Simpkins added. “There are several programs and lots of information that can help reduce cancer risks. The ACS is a great organization that can help you with information whether you have a cancer diagnosis or you just want to learn more about prevention. We want everyone to enjoy a healthier 2012.”
Published: December 27, 2011
