Want to Stop Cancer? You Can, Experts Say
Lifestyle changes have been shown to lower odds, even for those at a higher risk for cancer.
WEDNESDAY, June 3 (HealthDay News) -- Although some believe that certain people are destined to get cancer and nothing can be done to change their fate, that's just not the case, experts say.
Even people who have genes that predispose them to certain types of cancer might be able to reduce their risk by living a healthy lifestyle, they say.
"Between 27 and 49 percent of people think preventing cancer is impossible or highly unlikely," said Karen Collins, a registered dietitian and a nutrition adviser for the American Institute for Cancer Research.
Click here to comment on this article.But, she said, the institute has identified three steps people could take to dramatically affect the chances of developing cancer:
Eat a mostly plant-based diet.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise regularly.
"The data is pretty clear that we can make a significant drop in the cancer rate with these three changes," Collins said. "We can prevent about one-third of cancers with these changes. And if you add tobacco prevention, which reduces about 30 percent of cancers, over half of today's cancers could be prevented."
Dr. Virginia Kaklamani, an oncologist who specializes in breast cancer at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, added that "increased weight increases the risk of cancer, and physical activity, regardless of weight, decreases breast cancer risk."
The institute joined with the World Cancer Research Fund to release a report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective, that was prepared by a team of international researchers who reviewed more than 7,000 studies on cancer.
Their recommendations included:
Weight: Maintain a body mass index (BMI) between 21 and 23 and avoid gaining weight during adulthood. Although a BMI of up to 24.9 is considered normal, the lower end of normal is better for cancer prevention, the report said.
Exercise: Participate in moderate activity -- brisk walking or something equivalent -- for at least 30 minutes a day. Ideally, though, people are advised to work up to 60 minutes of moderate exercise daily, or 30 minutes of vigorous exercise.
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This is a great article. I know everyone is tired of talking about healthcare but this article really says it all http://popblogculture.blogspot.com/2009/07/healthcare-dilemma.html
This should bring hope to so many who are afraid of developing cancer. If we go back to the basic principle of eating a healthy, plant based diet and exercise, we can decrease our risk dramatically. Also, monitoring our weight is important as well. And women, don't forget to slow down on your alcohol intake. You should drink as little as possible. Alcohol has been shown to increase breast cancer. And don't forget if you are 20 pounds heavier then what you weighed when you graduated from high school, your at higher risk for breast cancer.
I have had breast cancer having been diagnosed ay the age of 54. My body was at its ideal weight and i most certainly was at my fittest ever.I ate a healthy diet and took good care of my body so not every one falls into that over weight unfit box! All women should be mindfull that they are at risk.
My grandfather had lupus, skin cancer and colon cancer. He lived a very long life with the first two conditions, and it was the colon cancer that took him. He walked a marathon distance every week until his 80's, proving that his clean eating regimen and active lifestyle could keep you going for a long time.
Wishing you all well.
Your article was great.Very informative.Exercises and diets aregood supplements to cure any ailments. To know more about cancer,their causes and treatments,visit the following link.May be it is useful for the readers,
www.empowereddoctor.com/oncology-cancer
Thanks for the useful information.
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SO if I have cancer and do all those things I can naturally get rid of it?
the article talks about prevention....once you develop a cancer then you're dealing with factors dealing with healing, what stage it is in when discovered, type of cancer etc
It's good to know that while doing these things doesn't GUARENTEE a cancer free life (my daughter was diagnosed at 18 months, hardly enough time to develop unhealthy habits, and barely off of breast milk!), we can still do things to reduce our risk.
There are now so many variables in our modern lifestyles that avoiding cancer may not be possible for many. We are constantly bombarded with man-made radiation in the form of micro-waves from cell-phones and cell-phone transmitters and electromagnetic radiation from every electric appliance we use. We are swimming in an ocean of organic and inorganic chemicals and carcinogenic particulates while, in the case of women, smearing our epidermis with an assortment of often heavy metal based make-up. Our food, even those foods within a healthy diet, are sprayed and fed chemicals from the farm to the plate. Avoiding cancer is as much a gamble as playing Russian roulette. However, having said all that, it is certainly a good idea to hedge your bets by eating healthy foods and excercising regularly.