10 Tips on How to Prevent Cancer

Even though modern medicine and technology are constantly improving and saving lives, prevention is still the most important thing that people can do if they want to stay healthy and live longer. By being active in preventing diseases, people can increase their chances of avoiding expensive medical procedures, medications and death.

Here are 10 things that people can do to lower their cancer risk:

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce people's risk of cancer. Studies have repeatedly found that people who are overweight or obese have a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer. Weight also affects one's risk of developing chronic health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and hypertension that can increase risk of heart conditions and death.

2. Be Active

Exercising should not just be a part of a diet plan but rather, a part of one's lifestyle. People who are physically active, whether they are running or participating in workout classes, have lower risks of developing cancers, such as bowel and breast cancers. Exercise can also help people keep their healthy weight steady.

3. Eat Vegetables

Vegetables might not be the tastiest things in the world, especially if one does not know how to cook them, but they are very good for the body. A diet high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains can keep cancer at bay. These types of food are also good for maintaining weight.

4. Drink Less Alcohol

Although some studies have found that a glass of red wine can be good for one's health, drinking too much alcohol can hurt the body and increase risk of cancer. Researchers how found that people who cut down their alcohol content significantly can effectively reduce their risk of developing diseases.

5. Drink Less Fizzy Beverages and Skip the Junk Food

Fizzy drinks and junk foods are packed with unhealthy ingredients that can easily lead to weight gain, which then increases risk of cancer. By avoiding these types of foods, people can continue protecting themselves. Fizzy drinks, in particular, have a lot of sugar, which can be really bad for the body.

6. Eat Less Salt

Oftentimes, people are not aware of how much salt they are eating. Although salt is a necessary ingredient in all kinds of food, eating too much of it can lead to hypertension, which can then cause heart disease. If people became more active about their daily salt content, they can prevent future health problems from arising.

7. Avoid Processed Meats

Avoiding processed meats like bacon and sausage might be very difficult for a lot of people but their bodies will be thanking them for it. These types of meats contain a lot of sodium and fat that increase risk of cancer. Eating too much bacon and/or sausage also leads to fast weight gain.

8. Vitamins do not Prevent Cancer

Many people think that by taking daily vitamins, they are actively preventing cancer. Unfortunately, a few pills everyday will not lower one's risk of cancer. Vitamins can be helpful for people who lack certain nutrients, but they do not prevent or lower risks of diseases.

9. Do not Smoke

By now, almost everyone on the planet knows that smoking can lead to so many different kinds of diseases. The only way someone can avoid the nasty side effects of tobacco is by kicking the habit or simply never picking it up.

10. Breastfeed
For nursing women, choosing to breastfeed can lower their risk of developing breast cancer. Breastfeeding can also help with weight loss, which is beneficial for the body.