There are many different factors that can lead to cancer, especially in our fast-paced lives surrounded by arguably unhealthy things. Some of these risk factors you can’t do much about.
However, there are many other things you can and should do to improve your lifestyle and minimize the chance of contracting cancer.
Cancer research experts at Odonate Pharmaceuticals share with us some of the simplest and most effective changes you can apply to your life in order to help your body stay healthy and reduce the likelihood of getting cancer.
Not Using Tobacco Products
Here is one which has been kept from the public for a very long time – tobacco products contain a multitude of harmful substances which are listed as carcinogenic. However, the truth has been out for a very long time and most people nowadays know to steer clear of these products.
Smoking is the most common way people use tobacco, but it if not the only way. All tobacco products are harmful in some way, but generally, smoking is the most harmful. Some estimates put one in five deaths in the US each year to the negative effects of tobacco.
Obesity Is Much More than Just a Nuisance
Being overweight affects a lot of people in the developed world. It is often called listed as the illness of modern times. However, many people don’t understand what being overweight means for your body. It is not just a small body image problem, it can and usually does lead to many other health problems.
There have been direct and clear links made between obesity and breast cancer (read more here https://www.odonate.com/breast-cancer), colon and rectum cancer, as well as kidney and pancreas cancers. There are also indications that obesity may be related to some other types of cancer, including gallbladder, liver, ovary, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Other kinds of medical problems which often accompany obesity, like diabetes, cardiovascular problems and joint pains are also a very important reason why losing weight is not just a vanity and appearance issue.
Physical Activity Makes a Lot of Difference
Physical inactivity is very often closely combined with obesity, as most adults (and more worryingly, more and more children) spend the majority of their time sitting down often in front of screens. Simply put, many jobs nowadays require this of us.
However, physical inactivity is a silent killer. Not only does it promote obesity and all the negative factors, but it also can have detrimental effects on your health of its own. For one, the lack of movement has a very negative effect on your blood circulation.
However, more worryingly, several types of cancer have been linked to the lack of physical activity, including breast cancer and colon cancer.
Experts recommend that all adults need at least 2 and a half hours of moderate physical activity a week, whereas children and teenagers need at least 1 hour of moderate activity daily.
Change Your Diet
Many of us develop eating habits in our teenage years or early 20s and are reluctant to change them. However, our metabolism is a changing system and we need to adapt to those changes. It is likely that you cannot eat several tacos late at night and be fine the next day.
What’s more, making your diet healthier will also boost your immune system and help your body fight any issues it may encounter, including fighting cancer.
Experts recommend a lighter diet, focused primarily on plant food, like fresh fruits and vegetables. Adapting the portions you eat to your realistic needs is also a skill. However, if you master it, you can improve your health significantly.
