Cancer prevention research: 5 things that reduce risks

Is cancer just one of those things that happen to us? Or, is it preventable? Historically, most people just assumed that it was the former. But in recent years, cancer prevention research has been veering more to the latter. Apparently, there are things that reduce the risks of the disease hijacking the body.

But what are those things, exactly? Let’s take a look at five of them.

Avoid tobacco

The discovery of the link between tobacco and cancer was one of the breakthroughs of the 20th century. Researchers gathered strong evidence to suggest that people who smoked were much more likely to develop cancer of the lung as a direct result of inhaling toxic fumes.

The evidence today that smoking is bad for you is so overwhelming, relatively few people even question it anymore. Thus, cancer prevention research leads you to conclude that if you want to lower cancer risks, quit the habit today.

Consume whole plant foods

People often say “eat a healthy diet” to prevent cancer. But what does that actually mean? It seems to depend on who you ask.

However, the good news is that most nutrition scientists agree that eating whole plant foods is critical. That’s why it’s included in many cancer research prevention discussions.

Fruit and veggies seem to contain factors that actively inhibit cancer and prevent cells from becoming dysfunctional in the first place. Adding berries, greens, and beans to your diet can help tremendously, as can cutting out toxins to keep cancer at bay.

Low blood sugar levels

Keeping your blood sugar down is another important strategy to reduce cancer risks. Researchers think that tumors thrive in high-sugar environments. So, when you eat donuts or drink soda, it can help the disease progress.

Getting diabetes may increase the risk of cancer, both because of the effects of the disease itself and the treatment of it. For instance, there are reports of cancer after metformin use because of the addition of toxic chemicals to some batches of the drug.

The best way to keep your blood sugar levels low is to follow generic health advice. Keep your fruit and vegetable intake high, exercise regularly, and keep inflammation to a minimum.

Skin protection and cancer prevention research

Skin cancers are on the rise across the western world, thanks to the interplay of diet, lifestyle, and sunshine.

Historically, skin cancer was comparatively rare, even for people who spent a lot of time outside. But these days, we don’t give our bodies the protective agents they need in our diets to keep the skin healthy. That means that UV light from the sun is much more dangerous than it ever was before.

More about cancer prevention research: Get your shots

Immunizations have also become front and center in the fight against cancer. Researchers now know that viruses like HPV increase your lifetime risk of certain types of tumors. Hepatitis B and C, for instance, can lead to liver and cervical cancers.

These vaccinations are mainly for children. But adults who are at risk of STDs can also get them.

When it comes to cancer prevention research, new discoveries continue to happen and provide insights into this important topic. As the five points above show, our lifestyle seem to have the potential to make a big difference.