No one wants to be diagnosed with cancer. What can you do to prevent cancer? Beebe Cancer Screening Nurse Navigator Deb Campbell discusses researched techniques that help reduce your risk.
Talk to your doctor to see how you might be able to incorporate some of these lifestyle changes into your daily routine.
Contact a Nurse Navigator.
Top 5 Tips for Preventing Cancer
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Eat Healthy and Be Active: The World Cancer Research Fund estimates that about 20% of all cancers diagnosed in the US are related to body fatness, physical inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, and/or poor nutrition. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout life, being physically active on regular basis and focusing a diet around plant-based foods can help reduce cancer risks, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Other helpful tips include: limiting alcohol and processed meat, getting 150 minutes of activity per week, and finding community members who share these values.
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Be Safe in the Sun: Too much ultraviolet radiation exposure can have damaging effects on your skin. The American Cancer Society says most skin cancers are a direct result of exposure to UV rays in sunlight. A person's risk for melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer – doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns. Moles are one of the signs of sun damage to the skin. Tips to avoid UV rays.
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Stay Away from Tobacco: 82% of lung cancer is attributable to cigarette smoking in adults 30 years and older, according to a 2014 study by the ACS. Other cancers caused by cigaretty smoking include: larynx, esophagus, urinary bladder, liver, cervix, kidney, stomach, myeloid leukemia, colorectal, and pancreas. According to the American Lung Association, cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths per year, which turns out to be 1 in 5 deaths in the U.S. Speak with your primary care provider or call the Smoking Cessation Counselors at Beebe to learn about ways to set your quit date and improve your health. The most important part of quitting smoking is determination.
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Know your Genetics: Some types of cancer can run in families, but it is not all linked to the genes inherited, according to the ACS. In fact, cancer is such a common diseases that it’s not uncommon for families to have a few members to have cancer. Genetic testing isn’t for everyone, but there are some considerations to make. Learn how your genes play a role in your cancer risk.
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Be Screened for your Health: Early detection cancer screenings afford patients the opportunity to have certain cancers detected at the earliest stages when they are most treatable and curable. Beebe Healthcare works with our community to take action to prevent cancer. Beebe provides cancer outreach, education, and screening programs through the Beebe Oncology Services and Tunnell Cancer Center to help our community learn more about what causes cancer and the risk factors involved.
Contact Deb Campbell, Beebe Cancer Screening Nurse Navigator via this online form or by calling (302) 645-3169. She can also provide information on free or reduced cost screenings.