Cancer has become the leading cause of death in the last few decades. Although medical advances have made it possible to manage cancer to some extent, the challenges remain insurmountable. There are, however, some simple steps and lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent cancer. You’ve probably heard contradictory information about cancer prevention. A cancer-prevention tip that is recommended in one study may be advised against in another.

What we know about cancer prevention is constantly evolving, and lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on the risk of developing cancer.

So, if you’re interested in cancer prevention, know that simple lifestyle changes can make a difference. Consider the following cancer-prevention advice.

1. Give up smoking:

Smoking is responsible for one out of every two deaths in our society before the age of 65. Quitting smoking can add up to 10 years to your life. Make an effort to break the addiction and create smoke-free environments in your home and community.

2. Have yourself screened:

Continue annual screening tests such as the Pap test and mammogram if you are a woman, and discuss the pros and cons of a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test with your healthcare professional if you are a man. The Pap test and PSA can both detect cellular changes before they turn cancerous, and the mammogram can detect breast cancer in its early stages. At the age of 50, one must go for colon cancer screening. Remember that some cancers are more than 90% curable if detected early, so don’t put off your cancer screening.

3. Get rid of excess weight:

Obesity is a major risk factor for uterine, colon, breast, esophageal, and kidney cancers. Obesity has also been linked to ovarian and pancreatic cancer. Any amount of obesity increases your cancer risk. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight will most likely lower your cancer risk.

4. Maintain an active lifestyle:

Physical activity is important for maintaining a normal, healthy body weight in cancer prevention. Make an effort to become physically active for at least 30 minutes per day, five days a week.

5. Consume more green vegetables:

A study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research annual international conference, Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, found that eating four or more salads per week may reduce a former smoker’s risk of lung cancer.  Vegetables are high in antioxidants, which aid in the repair of cells that have been damaged by smoking. But we all know how important eating more greens is for overall health — just do it!

6. Limit your alcohol consumption:

Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of several cancers, including liver cancer and colon cancer. So everybody should limit alcohol consumption as little as possible.

7. Incorporate some color into your diet:

A recent study discovered that anthocyanins—the compounds that give fruits and vegetables their intense red, purple, or blue hues—may slow or prevent the growth of colon cancer. Increase the amount of colorful fruits and vegetables in your diet.

8. Reduce your consumption of red meat:

White meats, such as fish and seafood, are the healthiest choice for protein. Red meats, such as beef, pork, and lamb, are high in fat, which promotes inflammation, which is a factor in the development of many chronic diseases, including cancer.

9. Apply sunscreen lotion:

The most common type of cancer is skin cancer, which is easily preventable. The most straightforward method is to apply a good quality sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or above to the sun-exposed areas of your body.

10. Breastfeeding:

Pregnant women, take note! According to a study published in The Lancet on July 20, 2002, the longer you breastfeed your baby, the lower your risk of developing breast cancer.

As previously stated, this is not an exhaustive list, but following it may lower your risk of cancer. Much is known about the causes of cancer today, but the number of patients grows with each passing year. If you or a loved one has cancer, prompt treatment can improve outcomes. SPDT4LIFE is ushering in a new era of cancer treatment by focusing on a holistic approach that provides patients with an unprecedented range of evidence-based, non-toxic treatments – desperately needed alternatives to the much-maligned chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery options that are frequently the only options available to patients.