REDUCE YOUR CANCER RISK
You can’t always prevent cancer, as the mutations can occur due to unique variations in our genes and environment, but there are other causes that we have some control over, like alcohol and smoking. It’s estimated that more than one in three (38%) cancers could be prevented through changes in diet and lifestyle.
WATCH YOUR DIET
Some of the food you eat could, unknowingly, be increasing your risk of cancer. According to Dr Laura Freeman, co-founder of plantbasedhealthonline.com, the World Cancer Research Fund recommends that we limit consumption of energy-dense foods like butter and crisps, eat mostly foods of plant origin and limit our intake of red meat, processed meat, alcohol and salt.
It could even be time to go vegan. People following a plant-based diet – centred on whole foods as they are grown and including plenty of fruit, veg, legumes, beans, nuts and seeds – have the lowest rates of cancer of any dietary type. Vegetarians have an 8% lower risk of cancer and for vegans, it’s a 15% reduced risk. This diet is thought to protect against cancer due to the high intake of phytochemicals – which protect against cellular damage – improved immunity and lower inflammation levels, increased intake of fibre, a healthier gut microbiome and reduced insulin resistance. Plus, this type of diet makes it easier to achieve and maintain a healthier weight.
QUIT SMOKING
Smoking is the single greatest preventable cause and is associated with at least 15 different types of cancer. There is no safe level of smoking and the sooner you can quit, the sooner you lower your risk of cancer.
CUT DOWN ON ALCOHOL
Latest research suggests that 17,000 cases of cancer in the UK in 2020 were linked to alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of seven different types of cancer: mouth, throat, larynx, oesophagus, liver, bowel and breast cancer. There’s no ‘safe’ level of drinking, but definitely avoid having more than two alcoholic drinks per day.
GO FOR YOUR SCREENINGS
According to Check4cancer, survival is much higher for most cancers if the cancer is detected as early as possible.
For example, if cervical cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, up to 90% of women aged under 40 will survive. This statistic is even more positive for those attending regular HPV screening, for whom cervical cancer is almost 100% preventable. (Check4cancer is available via mygp, the UK’S largest independent healthcare management app.)
A new campaign by mygp suggests that a simple SMS reminder could see 780,000 more patients attending cancer screenings in the next 12 months. In one intervention, a text reminder was sent to those who had not booked their cervical screening appointment and this increased uptake by almost 5%.
Plus, new research trials aim to detect lung cancer at an earlier stage. Participants will have a CT scan of the lungs, plus a nasal swab and blood sample taken to look for changes that could indicate early signs of a cancer.