Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Fortunately, there are things people can do to improve their lifestyle and limit their risks for cancer. With a few simple changes, anyone can help to improve their overall health and longevity. Being healthy not only improves one’s quality of life, it also helps to prevent things like heart disease and cancer from occurring. A healthy diet as well as avoiding harmful habits like drinking and smoking will help minimize your risks.

Healthy Eating/Weight Maintenance

A healthy diet is important in the fight against cancer. Too much sugar and fatty foods have been known to be contributing factors. Obesity is one of the leading causes of disease including promoting cancer, so maintaining a healthy weight is important. Some foods have actually been known to help prevent cancer, such as fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 oils and other healthy fats.

• Try to eliminate fast food and junk food from your diet.
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Sugary drinks like soda should be substituted for water or green tea, which is rich in antioxidants.
• Healthy Diet Tips – 15 diet related tips from the experts.

Exercise

Exercising for at least 30 minutes per day can do wonders for your health. It has also been known to improve skin tone and your sex life! People who are sedentary or exercise very little are at a higher risk for cancer. Those who move and get their heart rate up tend to be healthier and also live longer. Proper exercise is essential for people of all ages, even seniors.

• Exercise at least 15-30 minutes per day; even brisk walking counts.
• Write down a log and keep track of your exercise and how you feel. This will help keep you motivated and on track.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator, and park your car further away when shopping so you’re more inclined to walk further to get more exercise.
• Physical Activity & Cancer – Information about how exercise relates to cancer and preventing cancer.

Quitting Smoking & Recreational Drug Use

Smoking is the main cause of lung and stomach cancers, and claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide each year. Quitting smoking greatly improves your life span, and after approximately ten years, the lungs can return to that of a nonsmoker’s. Drug use such as marijuana, cocaine, and other illegal drugs can also raise the risk of getting cancer. All of these substances are poisonous, so consuming them even casually can cause harm to your body’s cells.

• Use a quit smoking aid such as nicotine gum or the patch if you need assistance in quitting.
• Join a support group for drug use issues if you need help.
• Take quitting one day at a time, and your body will feel much better over time.
• Quitting Smoking Guide – Some helpful tips and advice to help you quit smoking.

Quit Drinking

Drinking alcohol frequently or in large volumes is also very harmful to the body. Drinking causes liver and pancreatic cancer, as well as other forms of cancer. People who drink heavily are at a much higher risk of getting cancer than those who do not drink or drink very moderately. Make sure you are not drinking more than two alcoholic beverages per week if possible. The occasional indulgence is fine, but drinking as a habit can be dangerous to your health.

• Organizations like AA are there for people who need help if they drink too much or too often.
• Avoid social situations where you will be tempted to drink heavily.
• Talk to your doctor about drinking and its effects on the body, including cancer risks if you have questions or concerns.
• Alcohol and Cancer – Statistics and facts about alcohol and its relationship to cancer.

Facts

The average life span of a healthy American is approximately 78 years old. With a healthy diet, exercise, and overall good lifestyle, one can expect to live to their full life expectancy without experiencing cancer. While there are some forms of cancer that can strike unexpectedly and are often genetic, many forms of cancer can be minimized through proper lifestyle. Incorporating antioxidants such as green tea and fish oil into one’s diet can help reduce the risk of cancer and improve overall health. Diets low in fat, sugar, and empty calories, coupled with exercise, can also improve your health and increase your odds of living a longer life.

• Reducing Your Risks – Here are seven helpful tips from the Mayo Clinic for reducing your risks of getting cancer.