Cancer is poorly understood by people
Cancer is a life threatening disease. It claims millions of lives every year worldwide. However, despite the severe intensity of the disease in life it is poorly understood by people.
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Very often cancer is linked to heredity. It is believed that if cancer runs in the family it is almost certain that one will get it. Many of us are unaware of the fact that cancer is also triggered by faulty lifestyle manners.
Here is the truth!
Cancer is accountable for 1 in 6 deaths!
"Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths," the World Health Organization (WHO) says.
The most common cancers reported are the cancer of breast, lung, colon, rectum, prostate, skin and stomach.
The death causing cancers are the cancer found in lung, colon and rectum, liver, stomach and breast.
One-third of cancers can be avoided through changing lifestyle habits
The WHO says around 30-40% of cancer cases can be avoided only by changing lifestyle habits.
Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and air pollution are risk factors for cancer and other noncommunicable diseases, the WHO says.
Lifestyle habits trigger THESE cancers
An increase in body mass weight can increase the risk of endometrial cancer, esophageal adenocarcinoma, kidney cancer, liver cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Several research studies have studied and established a strong connection between heavy alcohol consumption and the risk of developing oral cancer, cancer of pharynx and larynx, esophagus cancer, liver, colorectum, and breast cancer.
Avoiding whole grains and seasonal fruits and vegetables and dependency on processed food increases the risk of colorectal cancer, studies have said. Whole grains, mostly, contain fibers which helps in controlling the weight of the body and subsequently protects the body from colorectal cancer.
A study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health had found that healthy behaviors could have a large effect on preventing certain cancers—particularly lung cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and kidney cancer.
The study also emphasized that 41% of cancer cases and 59% of cancer deaths in women were preventable. The rate of prevention of cancer in men is 63% of cancer cases. In men 67% of cancer deaths are preventable, the study says.
Keep the body weight under control
One of the most effective cancer prevention steps is to keep the body weight under control. A heavy weight is caused due to several unhealthy factors like uneven nutrient consumption, consumption of diet that enhances the fat composition in the body.
A body mass index between 18.5-25 is considered to be the ideal weight.
Even a 3-4 inch increase in waist circumference ups the risk of several cancers.
Reduce alcohol consumption
Studies have said intake of 10 grams of alcohol increases the risk of cancer by more than 20%.
Therefore, it is always advisable to reduce alcoholic consumption gradually and bring it down to a point where you do not have to drink it at all.
Physical activity is a must
Lesser physical activity is linked to breast cancer risk in women, especially those are in the menopause phase.
Also, people who are physically active have 25% lower risk of developing colon cancer.
Sedentary behaviour is known to increase risk of cancer in lungs, endometrial and colon.