Raising Cancer Awareness: 7 Tips to reduce the risk of Cancer

 One of UAE’s missions is to promote good health and wellbeing, while also raising awareness of cancer to encourage its detection, prevention, and treatment. Many cancers have been linked to lifestyle factors such as poor eating habits and a lack of physical activity. We know that leading a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of certain cancers and other health issues, but here are some tips to help: 

1. Eat a healthy diet

Consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Reduce your intake of red meat and eliminate processed meats. It is also important to limit your alcohol consumption because it increases your risk of developing colorectal, breast, and liver cancer. If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to two drinks per day if you are a man and one drink per day if you are a woman.

Additionally, reduce your intake of foods high in added sugars and solid fats, which provide a lot of calories but very little nutrition like highly processed snack foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, and desserts. Calories quickly add up with these calorie-dense foods, contributing to weight gain and leaving little room for more beneficial, cancer-preventive foods.

2. Maintain a healthy weight and be active

Obesity and being overweight may increase your chances of developing cancer. As obesity and inactivity have been linked to breast and colorectal cancer, with some evidence of a link to pancreatic and lung cancer as well. Work to achieve and maintain a healthy weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day can significantly improve your overall health and well-being. It is important to include exercise in your routine to strengthen your immune system, manage your weight, reduce stress, increase energy, and lower your risk of cancer.

3. Limit consumption of salt.

Salt is necessary for human health, but at much lower levels than are typically consumed in most parts of the world. According to studies, overconsumption of salt and salt-preserved foods can lead to stomach cancer.

4. Avoid smoking 

The most preventable cause of cancer is smoking. Approximately 90% of all lung cancers are caused by smoking. It has been linked to various other cancers too, including mouth, throat, larynx, lung, pancreas, cervix, bladder, and kidney cancer. Even if you do not use tobacco, secondhand smoke may increase your risk of developing lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Furthermore, chewing tobacco has been linked to the oral cavity and pancreatic cancer.

5. Avoid overexposure to the sun

The sun's ultraviolet radiation causes the vast majority of skin cancers. Every year, more than approximately 96,400 people are diagnosed with melanoma. So, always use adequate sun protection all year like staying in the shade, wearing protective clothing, or applying sunscreen to reduce your sun exposure. 

6. Get immunized (HPV and hepatitis vaccines)

Certain viruses have been linked to cancer, but they can be avoided with vaccination. Approximately most of all liver cancers are caused by the hepatitis B and C viruses (HCV). Both of these viruses have vaccines that protect against them. Discuss the age recommendations for HPV vaccines with your healthcare provider. 

7. Schedule regular cancer screenings

Discuss cancer screening with your healthcare professional, especially if there’s a history of cancer or health issues in your family. Some tests can aid in the early detection of cancer when treatment is more likely to be successful, and others can detect precancerous conditions before they develop into cancer. While screening has been shown to save lives, guidelines for screening are not always "one size fits all."

While there is no sure way to prevent cancer, living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing it. At BanqMart, we are here to support health initiatives and raise awareness about cancer.