Cancer is a scary disease in which cells begin to grow uncontrollably and may form tumors and spread to other parts of the body. Many types of cancer are terminal. Patients who detect cancer early on may not need as intense treatment and have a much better rate of survival. Here are some tips on what you can do to detect cancer early and prevent it:

1. Know your family history: Knowing your family history of cancer is very important to properly assess your risk factor for certain types of cancer. We know that cancers like breast, colon, ovarian, and possibly other types can be hereditary. If you know that a certain type of cancer runs in your family, let your doctor know. Together, you can determine a proper screening plan and assess your true risk factor. Genetic testing and counseling is also available.

2. If you are female, get a mammogram: This is especially necessary for women over40, as they are at higher risk of breast cancer. A mammogram aids in early detection. The earlier breast cancer is caught, the better the survival rate.

3. Men, perform a testicular self-exam: Performing a testicular self exam on a regular basis is essential for men, young and old. Testicular cancer can occur in young men as young as 15 years old.

4. Measure the radon level in your home: Radon is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas that is extremely harmful. It is imbedded in dirt below residential homes. Measuring your radon levels are the first step to lung cancer prevention, as radon exposure is a cause. Tests to check radon levels are available, and many are free of charge from you local health department.

5. Eat your vegetables: Beta-carotene, found in yellow, red, and deep green vegetables and some fruits, has been found to help reduce the risk of lung cancer. A beta-carotene supplement does not have the same effect and can be dangerous in large amounts to smokers.

6. Grill meats in moderation: Limit the amount of grilled and pan fried meats you eat. When meat is cooked at very high temperatures, a reaction occurs, forming substances called heterocyclic amines(HAs). HAs are carcinogenic and are linked to cancer. Research tells us this is most true with well done or burnt meats.

For more information on cancer, visit NorthShore University HealthSystem

New research has linked poor health habits to developing cancer multiple times. The studies have targeted breast cancer as a recurring cancer with poor habits. Seattle Pi reports, “[a] study by scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center shows that obesity, drinking alcohol and smoking significantly increase the risk of second breast cancer”.
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A Finnish study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that those with no history of cancer who participated in moderate to intense daily workouts seemed to reduce their risk of developing cancer.

2,560 men, aged 42 to 61 participated in the study. NorthShore University HealthSystem states, “During an average follow-up of 16 years, 181 of the men died from cancer. Those who engaged in moderate- to high-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes a day were 50 percent less likely to develop cancer compared with the other men”. The increase of oxygen consumption was related to a decreased risk of cancer death, especially in lung and gastrointestinal cancers.

It is summer time, and everyone is doing their best to refine their tans by taking every opportunity to absorb as much sun as possible. With the beauty of a glowing tan, always comes the concern of skin cancer. The solution, doesn’t exist although many rely on the minimal protection offered by sun screen. A recent Fox News article however discussed the potential of a new green tea herbal spray that may protect against skin cancer.
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