The 13 Best Things You Can Do to Prevent Cancer in Your Future

Cancer: it affects millions of people each year in a variety of ways. It’s also one of the most dreaded diagnoses someone can ever hear. The good news is that there are some proven steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting cancer. Try them all for maximum prevention. #1: Stop Smoking Almost one quarter of a million people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the United States. While there are other ways for this type of cancer to develop, it is most prevalent among smokers. The faster you stop your addiction to nicotine, the less your cancer risk will be. #2: Lose Weight If your weight is in the overweight or obese range, it’s time to get a handle on your health today. Research has shown that being of normal weight is helpful in staving off cancer. While there are many theories on why this is the case, it’s thought that all that extra weight takes away from your body’s natural ability to fight problems that can lead to cancer. #3: Eat Fewer Saturated Fats Obviously, saturated fats are a hindrance to a proper diet. They have also been linked with cancer in some circumstances. It’s interesting to note that individuals who come from societies where saturated fats are rarely eaten have a lowered incidence of most types of cancers. #4: Move Your Body Being sedentary isn’t a wise lifestyle choice if you want to avoid cancer that’s caused from environmental factors rather than hereditary ones. The more you move, the stronger you’ll be; that means your system will have a better chance of staying in tiptop shape. #5: Eat Foods High in Antioxidants Are you actively checking to see how many antioxidants you’re eating on a daily basis? If not, start adding the following foods to your diet: fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds. They’ll help you prevent cancerous cells from taking hold. #6: Get Some Zzzzs Think that sleep is overrated? Think again. Studies have connected a good night’s sleep with a lowered rate of cancer. That’s a good reason to get to bed at a decent hour. #7: Limit the Amount of Alcohol You Drink While it’s fine to have a glass of wine or beer every now and again, if you reach for alcohol all the time, you may be doing your body a disservice. Reducing your alcohol consumption will go a long way towards fighting cancer. #8: Try Not to Expose Your Body to Much Radiation “But I don’t expose myself to radiation!” you’re probably saying. While you don’t think you are, that might not be true. Even being out in the sunlight for hours can be considered radiation exposure. Plus, some workplaces have heavy doses of radiation. (Always check with your employer.) #9: Limit the Red Meat You Eat You may enjoy a juicy steak or delicious burger, but all that red meat could be clogging your arteries and slowing your digestive system. Reduce the times you eat red meat in a week, and you’ll be in a better position to avoid cancer. #10: Eat Lots of Fiber Fiber helps the digestion process, which aids in avoiding blockages in the colon. In fact, some specialists have suggested that a high fiber diet can be one of the best things you do for your body. Aside from helping you prevent a cancer diagnosis, eating lots of fiber can also assist you in maintaining a normal body weight. #11: Wear Sunscreen Skin cancer is no joke, which is why you should always wear a sunscreen of between 30 and 45 SPF. Even if it’s a cloudy day, you still need this kind of protection to ward off intense UVA and UVB rays. #12: Go to Your Appointments Your general physician needs to see you on a regular basis. Even if you feel healthy, always get your annual screenings, including any mammograms or colonoscopies. #13: Take Supplements AND Eat Well It’s wonderful if you’re adding supplements to your diet, but don’t rely on them alone to give your body the nutrients it needs. Diet has to play a role in how you get your vitamins and minerals. They can’t all come from pills and powders. By being proactive, you can potentially add years to your life. Plus, many of the prevention methods help reduce your risk of other conditions, too, such as diabetes and heart disease. That makes them additionally wonderful ways to stay in the best shape you can for the long haul. Image by DeathToTheStockPhoto

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