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4 Simple Changes To Help Prevent Cancer

Cancer experts have found that healthier living could cut out a third of instances of the most common cancers in the developed world, and a quarter in the developing world.

Globally, eleven million people are diagnosed with cancer each year - and eight million die. The researchers (from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research) carried out a worldwide study - issuing the report "Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention" - involving 23 cancer experts and 12 common cancers. They're urging governments to do more to encourage healthy living.

Reuters reported that:

The researchers found that healthier living would prevent 43 percent of colon cancer cases and 42 percent of breast cancer cases in Britain, and 45 percent of bowel cancer and 38 percent of breast cancer cases in the United States.

Michael Marmot, who headed the study, told Reuters that "cancer is mostly preventable." The researchers offered similar advice to government guidelines on healthy living: regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a diet "based on fruits, vegetables and whole grains and go easy on red meats, dairy products and fats."

The researchers came up with 48 different recommendations for 9 sectors of society, including schools, government, industry and the media. (You can find the full list of recommendations, by sector, in the report itself.)

Want to cut your risk of cancer? Try:

Quitting smoking (the single biggest step you can take - the researchers didn't even look at smoking as a factor, as its effects are so well known).

Exercising regularly - aim to exercise 3 times a week minimum.

Maintaining a healthy weight - for most people, this is a BMI between 20 and 25.

Eating a balanced and healthy diet - high in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains

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8 Comments

Good stuff. There are also other natural ways to fight off cancer. It has also been said that cancer is a disease of the mind body and spirit. The reasoning behind that could be that stress releases hormones that make you vulnerable.

But hey, I'm no cancer expert, so here is that article that goes into more depth: http://flawlessfitnessbook.com/blog/?p=286

Ideally... diet-blog editors should copy/paste that on this site. It's up for sharing.

Cheers.

Spectra

Smoking is like a guaranteed way to get some sort of cancer. Not just lung cancer, but throat cancer, tongue cancer, leukemia, etc. If you smoke, quitting is probably the best thing you could ever do for your body as far as cancer prevention goes. I work with a woman (a smoker) whose mom just underwent surgery for throat cancer that left her without a larynx. She still smokes through the stoma they gave her. If THAT isn't motivation to quit smoking, I don't know what is.

Colon cancer is also a very preventable cancer. Eat enough fiber and drink plenty of water and you'll probably be fine. Fruits and vegetables are also very important...they help you maintain a healthy intestinal flora, which protects you from getting ill and just keeps the lining of your guts healthy. I'm working on trying to get my husband to eat healthier...I get constipated just THINKING about the crap he eats. He doesn't really "do" veggies, but I sneak them into foods that he likes so he can reap some of the benefits.

Jason from Money Theory

I also think its incredibly important to cut down on stress as much as possible. Stress is so harmful to the system.

I use exercise (long walks/hikes in nature) to help me relieve day-to-day stress and it really helps so much.

SueK24

This is a topic of the utmost importance. Aside from the health and well being part of this issue, also to be considered is the enormous strain that will be placed on our already ailing health care system as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age.

Some major changes need to take place in educating the general public about nutrition and lifestyle. I've been following the Zone diet and lifestyle, going on 15 years now. As a cancer survivor myself, my goal is to remain cancer free, and I believe that choosing an excellent anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle like the Zone is the best way to support this goal.

John Sifferman - Real World Strength Training

This is the kind of message that needs to be heard about cancer - that it is PREVENTABLE. In an age where we tend to view accumulated disease as likened unto the contraction of a virus, this message roars loud and clear that cancer is a condition that develops over time due to poor lifestyle habits.

To your health and success,

John Sifferman
Fitness Professional

Kelly

Protein plays a large factor in cancer develop. Excess protein or even protein over 10% can increase cancer growth and cause cancer growth.

I would encourage anyone interested in health to read The China Study by Dr T Colin Campbell.

Anne

Superfoods give health and wellness consumers everything we need for a shot of essential nutrients in an edible form There's also that hint of the exotic which appeals to a market willing to experiment with fun new foods.

Louis "Healthy Weight Loss"

I agree with the list to help prevent Cancer. I would add fresh air and adequate sleep. Two thing all cancer cells have in common is lack of oxygen and too much refined sugar. Exercise and a healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables are very important.