Cancer sucks…

That’s the common phrase many people say when they or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer. And that’s because it does suck. 

Cancer is the #2 leading cause of death in America, falling under heart disease. And though this deadly disease has wreaked havoc in many people’s lives, and it’s not completely avoidable, did you know that there are ways to lower your risk of developing cancer?

According to the CDC, there are more than 100 cancers, and of those cancers, 1,376,000 will receive the devastating diagnosis; of that, more than 600,000 people will die from it. Those numbers are quite alarming but they’re a reality that many people are facing each and every day. But that doesn’t mean it necessarily has to be your fate.

There are many cancers that form directly from the choices we make in our daily lives. Everything from the foods we eat to the types of extracurricular activities we engage in, the lifestyle choices we make can largely impact the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis. Take a look at these preventive measures.

Avoid Tobacco Products

Did you know that 90% of all lung cancer diagnoses are directly linked to smoking? Even individuals who don’t smoke are highly likely to develop lung cancer simply from being exposed to the smoke. And the thing to understand about tobacco is that it doesn’t only just cause lung cancer… tobacco has been linked to cervical, esophageal, and bladder cancer, as well as many other types of cancer.

So in your efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle, always remember it’s never too late to stop smoking (if you’re a smoker) and just avoid tobacco at all costs, if you’re a non-smoker.

Use All-Natural Products

Everything from cleaning products to makeup, there are many products under your sink, in your pantry, and in your garage that are toxic that you could possibly be exposing yourself to and not even know it.

For instance, there are a lot of people who love to work in their gardens. Well for many years, people with green thumbs would use the herbicide Roundup to prevent weeds from ruining their gardens. But little did they know that the herbicide contained the harmful toxin glyphosate, which is a known carcinogen. Prolonged exposure to that product has been linked to many different cancers including Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and multiple myeloma. People now have the opportunity to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers of Roundup.

This is a real-life example of the importance of reading the labels on the products you buy and to always go with all-natural or plant-based products as a healthier and safer alternative for preventive measures.

Consume a Healthy Diet

The foods and drinks we consume play a significant role in various cancer diagnoses. Everything from processed meats and food additives to alcohol and water, what we consume and the containers they come in are all factors that have the potential to cause cancer.

Alcohol should be consumed in moderation, as it is a leading cause of liver, esophagus, and mouth cancer. We also need to be cognizant of the quality of the water we consume because tap water can sometimes contain heavy metals and other toxins that are harmful to our bodies. It’s also always a better practice to avoid bottled waters due to the plastic packaging. Invest in a water filter for your tap and drink out of glass cups.

Practice Safe Sex

Having unprotected sex puts you at risk of being exposed to the many strands of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), and it’s spread from skin to skin contact. The high-risk strands have been known to cause liver cancer and cervical cancer as well. That’s why it’s so important to practice safe sex.

Get Health Check-Ups

Getting regular health checks is the key to prevention. Some people are terrified of going to the doctor because they either don’t like needles or they’re just afraid of what the doctor might say, but it’s always better to get ahead of the situation before it’s too late. Early detection of cancer is what has saved so many lives today. 

Going to the doctor isn’t fun for many people, but it’s very necessary, and could be the very thing that saves your life. By changing, or at the very least, adjusting some of your lifestyle habits, you’ll be less likely to receive a cancer diagnosis and be well on your way to living a happy and healthy life.