Cancer is a condition that affects every country in the world. There are many factors involved when it comes to cancer, including diet, genetics, age, and proximity to carcinogens (something that can help cause cancer). Since I can’t change your genes or your age, and you need to eat a healthy diet to begin with, I’ll just talk about three ways you can avoid carcinogens to reduce your risk of cancer.
To get started, learn all about sun protection. The sun can cause skin cancer (one of the deadliest forms of cancer), and luckily it’s easily preventable. There are more than a million cases of skin cancer in the United States alone each year. UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun are what cause skin cancer, so stay in the shade, wear clothing that can protect you and your skin, and/or use sunscreen. What would you rather have, a nice tan or twenty more years to spend with your family? When deciding to choose a sunscreen, stay away from oxybenzone and methoxycinnamate as they are known endocrine disruptors and can also cause cancer. An SPF of 30 is more than enough for anyone.
Second, it’s a quick look at the food. Reduce your intake of high-fat dairy products and fatty meat. Dioxins and PCBs contain long-lasting carcinogenic contaminants and accumulate in the food chain, concentrating in animal fat. Eat fewer of them, or opt for organic meat instead. Organic meat is fed a vegetarian diet that does not include chemicals, so it is better for you, although much more expensive than conventional meat. Unfortunately, when it comes to healthy meat, it’s going to cost you. I always say that it is a small price to pay for being healthy and reducing the risk of cancer.
My third and final way to avoid cancer is to stay away from pesticides! Many pesticides have been linked to cancer. Fortunately, not all vegetables and fruits contain pesticides. Certain types are fine, such as onions, avocados, pineapples, mango, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe, and watermelon. Unfortunately, celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, cherries, kale, potatoes, grapes, and lettuce should not be eaten unless they are organic. They all contain toxic levels of pesticides. Removing these fruits and vegetables from an elementary school dramatically reduced the presence of toxins in children in just three days. Do yourself a favor and buy organic, they are not much more expensive. Rice, pasta, and nuts are okay to eat.
Taking a quick look at your life and deciding how you can apply these strategies can literally lower your risk of getting cancer later in life. I think all three are pretty easy, and even though organic food is more expensive, isn’t it worth it? I think you are, and I bet I’m not alone in that. Anyone who loves you would love to have you around longer.
