A new cancer survey carried out in the UK has found that 34 percent of the public thinks that getting cancer is merely down to fate and that there is nothing they can do to prevent it. This is an attitude that will undoubtedly cost lives.
The survey involved 2,000 adults over the age of 16 and found that 34 percent of them believed that getting cancer, or not, was just a matter of fate and didn’t have anything to do with lifestyle, family history or any other factor. The older the person interviewed, the greater the chance they would think cancer was down to fate. About 41 percent of people over the age of 55 thought this.
They were asked to select what they feared the most from a list, including Alzheimer’s disease, old age, cancer, motor neuron disease, having a heart attack, being stabbed, being in a plane crash, being in a car accident, losing their job, being in debt and losing their home and the verdict was that more people overall chose cancer above anything else.
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director of health information, said, “The fear factor is a serious wake-up call for the British public. It’s absolutely vital for us to get the message out that people can do something to alleviate their emphatic fear of cancer. Spotting early signs and symptoms of what could be cancer – but probably isn’t – and getting these checked out by a doctor means that the disease can be diagnosed more quickly. When cancer is diagnosed early then treatment is more likely to be effective with a better chance of long-term survival.”
Various research studies have shown that stress can trigger cancer and people who are emotionally and economically deprived are more likely to die of cancer than those with supportive family structures. Research has also shown that smoking leads to cancer, as does poor diet, obesity, drinking too much alcohol, not getting enough exercise, sleep and sunlight.
Certain contraceptives, medicines and even cosmetics containing substances like formaldehyde all increase the risk of getting cancer. There are positive steps you can take to minimize your risk of cancer. Here are a few ideas:
• Don’t smoke and if you do, try to quit. This will make a significant difference.
• Only use a cell phone in emergencies, keep calls to a minimum and don’t leave the phone switched on all the time. Carry it in a bag, not in your pocket.
• Limit the amount of time you spend on a computer or watching TV.
• Eat healthily, at least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables every day, and grains. Try to include some raw foods in your diet and cut down on junk foods.
• Drink plenty of water – most people don’t drink enough.
• Cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink. Having a small amount of red wine with broccoli and Mediterranean food such as fish, or salad and olive oil has been shown to improve life expectancy.
• Don’t take medicines that contain formaldehyde, thimerosal, aluminium or other ingredients like this.
• Don’t use any cosmetics or shampoos that contain formaldehyde, phenols etc. There are natural shampoos that don’t contain these.
• Don’t clean your home with toxic cleaners. Good old-fashioned white vinegar is good enough.
• Go for a walk, swim or other form of exercise for at least 30 minutes each day.
• Make sure you are getting plenty of sunlight and if you aren’t, take a vitamin D supplement.
• Use a condom during intercourse and don’t have multiple partners.
• Get at least eight hours of sleep per night and in total darkness.
• If you have a hectic life or are under stress, try to de-stress by doing something relaxing on a regular basis, for instance, take an aromatherapy bath. If you are suffering from depression, seek counseling and lean on your family and friends.
Source: Cancer Research UK Press Release, 8th December 2010.
Joanna is a freelance health writer for The Mother magazine and Suite 101 with a column on infertility, http://infertility.suite101.com/. She is author of the book, 'Breast Milk: A Natural Immunisation,' and co-author of an educational resource on disabled parenting, in addition to running a charity for people damaged by vaccines or medical mistakes.