{"id":94011,"date":"2023-01-04T13:51:37","date_gmt":"2023-01-04T21:51:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/docs.yourhealthlab.com\/?p=90360"},"modified":"2023-01-05T17:04:04","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T01:04:04","slug":"5-ways-to-reduce-your-cancer-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yourhealthlab.com\/5-ways-to-reduce-your-cancer-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways You Can Reduce Your Cancer Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. It is an unpredictable and, in certain cases, unavoidable disease, however there are some steps you can take to reduce your cancer risk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are five ways you can reduce your cancer risk:<\/span><\/p>\n

Get Screened Regularly<\/span><\/h2>\n

Getting screened regularly can prevent early-stage cancers from spreading. Cancer screening checks your body for cancer before you even have symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For certain types of cancer, such as cervical and colon cancer, these screens can prevent cancer from developing from the start.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cervical cancer and colon cancer<\/b>: the Pap test can detect abnormal cells in the cervix which may turn to cancer. Screening tests for colon cancer can find precancerous abnormal growths (polyps) in the colon and rectum before they turn into cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breast cancer<\/b>: you can start annual mammograms around the age of 40. If breast cancer runs in your family, talk to your doctor to see when you should have a baseline screening mammogram.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lung cancer<\/b>: if you are between the ages of 50 and 80 and have a history of heavy smoking, the <\/span>U.S\u00a0 Preventive Services Task Force recommends<\/span><\/a> annual lung cancer screening.<\/span><\/p>\n

Avoid Tobacco<\/span><\/h2>\n

Quitting smoking can lower the risk for 12 types of cancer, including cancers of the lung, larynx, mouth, esophagus, bladder, throat, kidney, liver, pancreas, stomach, colon and rectum, and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia. Smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, can increase your likelihood of developing cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Quitting tobacco can be difficult, but it\u2019s possible. Along with lowering your risk of developing cancer, quitting tobacco also lowers your risk of diabetes and heart disease. If you are struggling with quitting, visit <\/span>cancer.org<\/span><\/a> for tips on how to quit tobacco.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Be Sun Safe<\/span><\/h2>\n

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer \u2014 and the most preventable. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) lights. UV light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun and is transmitted in waves or particles at different wavelengths and frequencies. Too much exposure to UV radiation can be damaging to living tissue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many ways you can reduce your skin cancer risk. Some ways you can be sun safe are:<\/span><\/p>\n