To talk about cancer prevention, like any other aspect of the illness, is to talk about calculated chance. When scientists learn that a single habit, or factor, probably prevents the onset, or recurrence, of one form of cancer the rest of us really have no choice but to extend that finding into practical attempts to ward off all types of the disease. It’s how we maintain our optimism!

It’s impossible to ignore the idea that some cases of cancer can possibly be prevented through widespread education about genetic factors, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and limiting exposure to environmental toxins that are widely believed to contribute to the development of cancer.

Our friends and loved ones might be spared as a result of using this information to change their habits.

Controlling genetic factors

We have learned much about how genetics influence the development of cancer. The news from current genetic research is that we have to try to prevent damage to our DNA in order to prevent cancer.

In other words, a family history of cancer is not necessarily a mark of a “bad” or “flawed” genetic inheritance. For example, colon cancer is seen in family clusters, but it's seen in families that tend to eat the same diet as each other. So a shared family history of colon cancer could be a result of the same habits rather than the same genetic tendency toward the disease.

Some theorists believe that most types of cancer, excepting infant and childhood kinds, begin during common viral illnesses or through exposure to toxins. The illness or exposure damages genes that then mutate and eventually cause the body to produce cancer cells through a process that can take ten to 20 years.

The greatest form of cancer prevention, then, is to prevent DNA damage. While some of these factors are beyond our control, plenty can be managed through healthy living, diet, exercise, and limiting exposure to environmental toxins.

Understanding environmental factors

Industrial pollution of air and water, ozone depletion, and smog are all things that contribute to the risk of cancer.

To some degree, we can manage the way that environmental factors damage our bodies. We can accomplish this by controlling how we are exposed to the following four environmental factors:

Chemical substances

The most common carcinogenic chemicals are exhaust from petrochemicals such as coal and gasoline. To minimize exposure, try changing or staggering your work hours to limit time spent in traffic jams, take public transit, or start a car pool so that fewer exhaust-producing vehicles are on the road.

Benzene, a naturally occurring chemical in gasoline, is also carcinogenic. Try letting your gas tank fall to almost empty, then fill it completely to avoid frequent visits. Pregnant and nursing mothers should have someone else fill up the tank for them, and children should not be allowed near gas pumps.

Benzene is also found in:

• Spray paint
• Detergents and cleaning fluids
• Some rubber
• Industrial lubricants
• Household and agricultural pesticides
• Beauty products
• Cigarette smoke

Other dyes and solvents used in garden pesticides, pest control products, cleaning fluids, and beauty products are now known to be carcinogenic. A new threat is the substance Teflon. No longer used just in non-stick frying pans, the chemical is used to treat fast food wrappers, microwaveable meal containers and the bags that hold microwave popcorn, among other materials.

According to recent investigations by the FDA, the amount of Teflon released into food may be far higher than reported by the manufacturer. While some scientists contend that Teflon is harmless to ingest, the substance is known to be carcinogenic in the bloodstream.

It’s up to each individual to choose how to minimize exposure to household chemicals. Here are a few tips for doing so:

• Go organic -- Cancel chemical lawn and garden treatments and avoid chemical herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides.

• Monitor swimming pools -- Swim in pools that use the minimum number of chemicals.

• Use non-toxic cleaning products -- Make your own or buy non-toxic cleaning products.

• Wear protection when cleaning -- Use gloves and a mask if you feel sensitive to cleaning fumes, particularly during cancer treatment.

The sun

Sunbathing and tanning beds are not part of general good health or cancer prevention. In fact, our skin only needs 30 minutes of sun per day of sun to produce sufficient Vitamin D.

Wear sun hats when outdoors and long t-shirts on the beach and apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure to protect against UV radiation.

A common myth is that African Americans and Latin Americans are at lesser risk for skin cancers than Caucasians and Asians because their skin offers more natural protection from the sun. While the pigments in their skin offer more protection than lighter-skinned people possess, no one's skin has had time to adjust to the UV rays that we are now being exposed to due to ozone depletion.

“Natural protection" is a myth.

Power lines, transformer stations, and other utilities

Living near power lines and electricity transformer stations is a known cancer risk, especially for children. Relocation of the electrical towers underground or re-settlement of affected communities are the only desirable options.

Medical debates also are in full swing about whether cell phone use causes brain tumors. Some companies are actually withdrawing services to children until the safety issues have been resolved. Viagra online

Addressing lifestyle factors

Eat well, live well, as the saying goes. Nothing could be truer in the realm of cancer prevention. The latest research shows that what we eat and how we move may have more to do with preventing cancer and recurrence than previously believed. Recomendet Viagra professioanal

Exercise

A recent study found that people with breast cancer who walked between 30 and 60 minutes five days a week not only felt fewer side effects of treatment for a shorter period of time, they also had a lower incidence of recurrence than those who didn’t exercise at all.

Walking for longer than 60 minutes more often than five days a week didn’t lower the recurrence rate any more than it did among those who followed the more moderate plan.

Clearly, there are lessons here for the rest of us seeking to prevent both the onset of cancer and its recurrence. Regular exercise prevents the circulatory and digestive systems from becoming sluggish. It also helps them function more efficiently, which has special benefits for those fighting off treatment-induced swelling or edema. In addition, it reduces fatigue, lowers stress levels, and inspires feelings of well-being with the release of endorphins.

Current guidelines of 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-to-brisk activity five days a week seems to be the formula for a healthy life, for both cancer survivors and those seeking to prevent the disease.

Nutrition

Researchers recently discovered how certain cancer-preventing foods worked to prevent cancer. The foods contain two proteins, Keap1 and Nrf2. The body metabolizes these proteins in ways that prevent DNA damage. These foods contain high amounts of fiber and are mostly plant-based.

Smoking

Every year, 30% of all cancer deaths can be directly attributed to smoking. The good news is that smokers can decrease their risk of lung cancer by quitting the habit, and the risk is reduced further for each year that the former smoker stays away from tobacco.

Second-hand smoke is also problematic.Generic Viagra It affects people in the service industry and children who live in homes where one or both parents smoke. Frequent exposure to second-hand smoke can cause colds and infections. These illnesses may contribute to DNA damage that results in cancer later in life. viagra super active +

Pipe and cigar smokers are still at risk for developing lung cancer and have the additional risk of cancers to the mouth, tongue, esophagus, and voice box. Those who chew tobacco have higher incidences of cancer in the mouth, tongue, voice box, and cheek.

See also

• Early detection
• Healthy living
• Staying positive
• The fear and reality of recurrence