What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk for Cancer?

2015-08-10

The new European ‘Code Against Cancer’, launched this week, outlines 12 things that individuals can do to reduce their risk for cancer. Top of the list is tobacco, followed by healthy body weight, avoiding too much sun and alcohol, but there are also several new recommendations — about radon, breast-feeding, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and also about vaccinations and organized screening programs. The code was drawn up by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization, with the participation of the European Commission.

Here are the 12 recommendations in point form, or you can read the full article at Code Against Cancer 2014

  1. Do not smoke or use any form of tobacco.
  2. Make your home smoke-free. Support smoke-free policies in your workplace.
  3. Take action to maintain a healthy body weight.
  4. Be physically active in everyday life. Limit the time you spend sitting.
  5. Have a healthy diet:

    Eat plenty of whole grains, pulses (legumes), vegetables and fruits.
    Limit high-calorie foods (foods high in sugar or fat) and avoid sugary drinks.
    Avoid processed meat; limit red meat and foods high in salt.
  6. If you drink alcohol of any type, limit your intake. Not drinking alcohol is better for cancer prevention.
  7. Avoid too much sun, especially for children. Use sun protection. Do not use sunbeds.
  8. In the workplace, protect yourself against cancer-causing substances by following health and safety instructions.
  9. Find out if you are exposed to radiation from naturally high radon levels in your home. Take action to reduce high radon levels. For more information on Radon Gas in Canada
  10. For women:
    Breastfeeding reduces the mother’s cancer risk. If you can, breastfeed your baby. Hormone replacement therapy [HRT] increases the risk of certain cancers. Limit use of HRT.
  11. Ensure your children take part in vaccination programmes for:
    Hepatitis B (for newborns).
    Human papillomavirus [HPV] (for girls).
  12. Take part in yearly cancer screening programs for:
    Bowel cancer (men and women)
    Breast and Cervical cancer (women).

More information on the risks associated with Radon Gas RADON GAS RISK IN VANCOUVER

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