Human history has been finding answers to this question for the last few decades for now. Researchers have come up with a lot of suggestions to date, but none have proved to subsist the proper cure yet. There are only methods to lower the risk of the disease.
What causes cancer?
Several reasons can initiate the development of cancer cells in the human body. The majority of cancers, some 90–95% of cases, are due to genetic mutations from environmental and lifestyle factors. The remaining 5–10% are due to inherited genetics. The environmental and lifestyle factors include UV rays of the Sun, pollution, radiation, smoking, drinking, obesity and psychological stress.
Several studies have proven that being overweight or obese increases the risk of getting cancer. The possible reasons that obesity is linked with cancer include:
- Increase in the level of insulin.
- Low-level inflammation
- Higher amounts of estrogen produced by fat tissues.
- Development of cancer cells as regular cell growth increases due to fat cells (mainly in the case of breast cancer)
The types of cancer that have higher chances of occurrence due to obesity or overweight are:
- Breast cancer (in women past menopause)
- Colon and rectal cancer
- Endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus)
- Esophagus cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreas cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Meningioma (a tumor of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Male breast cancer
- Tumors of the mouth, throat, and voice box
- Aggressive forms of prostate cancer
What could be done?
Exercise
You must exercise regularly to maintain proper body weight. Doctors advise to keep an appropriate waistline as the more substantial the waistline, the higher is the risk of various diseases. Healthy waist measurement is under 40 inches for men and under 35 inches for women.
Regular exercise includes 200 – 300 minutes of intense and moderate physical activities on a weekly basis. Researches have shown that people who have intentionally lost weight have lowered the production of certain hormones that act as promoters of cancer, such as insulin, estrogens, and androgens. Doctors suggest reducing body fat to maintain a healthy mind and body. Heart diseases, cancer risks, lung disorders, diabetes, all can be minimized if one maintains proper body weight. You can go for a run or walk every day or get involved in some fun sports to keep a healthy and fit body.
Proper Diet
Recent studies conducted by the American Cancer Society, have shown that adding greens and whole grains to one’s diet and deducting processed food and red meat helps in the reduction of the chances of getting cancer. It has been found that vegetables having dark green color are preferred over red and orange. Beans and peas are great bliss in lowering the risk of cancer. The research says that a proper diet and regular exercise will play an essential role in improving one’s health will lower the risk of major diseases like cancer. A few food items, such as red meats, like steak, should be avoided as far as possible. Processed and sugary drinks and juices with added sugar must not be consumed.
You can increase the intake of fruits and vegetables. More quality of these edibles delivers a healthy dose of antioxidants to the body. This further helps in preventing oxidative damage to DNA caused by higher consumption of red meat and processed meat. Brown rice acts in miraculous ways to regulate all these functionings happening in the body. Fiber-rich foods break the process of fat formation.
As well as smoking, pollution and UV radiation, she said.
Stop Drinking Alcohol
Scientists have come up with proven research that asks people to stop the consumption of alcohol altogether. Earlier it was said that women could take one drink a day and men can take two. But, now the new research proves that complete stoppage of consumption of alcohol will reduce the chances of cancer to nil.
All types of alcoholic drinks are considered into the category, be it red or white wine or cocktails. The more you drink, the higher are the risks of cancer. When you consume alcohol, your body breaks it down into a chemical called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde damages your DNA leading to preventing your body from repairing the damage. DNA is the cell’s “instruction manual” that controls a cell’s healthy growth and function. When DNA is damaged, a cell can begin growing out of control and create a cancer tumor.
Alcohol adds to the body weight and hence, another high risk of cancer. Along with alcohol, you need to stop your smoking habits too. Tobacco is very harmful to your body leading to high risks of mouth cancer.
Protection
Pollution, UV rays of the Sun and radiation are some of the causes of cancer. You need to protect ourselves from these consonants to lower the risk of cancer.
If you take the advice of doctors, you must never go out without sunscreen. The UV rays of the Sun blending with the pollution of the environment cause severe damage to the skin, which leads to the multiplication of cells. Whenever you step out of the house, remember, irrespective of your gender, to use a cloth to protect your face and hair. Also, wear a summer coat or longhand gloves to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. Constant exposure to the harmful rays of the Sun increases the risk of skin cancer. Exposure to radiations like x-rays, gamma rays, alpha and beta particles, can damage the DNA leading to cancer. Exposure to these radiations is not a usual scenario, but people working in nuclear power plants and atomic energy centers are constantly under high risk. Protecting yourself from these factors will lower the risk of the disease.
Maintain a good diet and proper body weight, avoid smoking and drinking, protect yourself from the harmful radiations and rays and pollution of the environment. Remember to undertake these ways into your life to prevent the risk of cancer.
Nikhil
Worthy!