A study that was published in the Journal Nature explains what health minded people have known for years: One’s lifestyle plays a big role in if people develop cancer or not, it’s not linked to aperson’s genes.
Having a healthy lifestyle includes eating healthy and not smoking are the main keys for not developing cancer. Did you know that 90% of many different kinds of cancers can be eliminated just by changing to a healthy lifestyle.
The information stems from researchers who have set assess have and officially dropped the bad luck cancer debate. Many researchers believe that cancer is developed by the chance of mutation and that there is “strong correlation between tissue-specific cancer risk and the lifetime number of tissue-specific stem-cell divisions.”There’s a lot more that the study in Nature discusses.
The study, entitled, “Substantial Contribution of Extrinsic Risk Factors to Cancer Development“, notes that “…the rates of endogenous mutation accumulation by intrinsic processes are not sufficient to account for the observed cancer risks.”
It concluded that “… cancer risk is heavily influenced by extrinsic factors. These results are important for strategizing cancer prevention and public health.”
Cancer Isn’t Just All About Genes
Dr. Emma Smith from the Cancer Research UK states that in a video that a small amount of cancer occurs “by chance in our DNA”, many are caused by other factors. She explains that this is good news as this means that cancer is preventable.
She further explains that the study has formed a scientifically back wall of evidence showing that cancer isn’t just caused b ones genes. She then explains that 4 of 10 cancers in the UK could have been prevented. If people would make healthier choices like eating healthier foods, staying at a healthy weight and stop sm
oking.
Other ways to prevent and wipe out cancer is decreasing the amount of alcohol you consume and avoid pollution as much as you can. Even though people can really choose where they are born or how their parents raised them or even environmental circumstances, there are still many ways a person can decrease their chances of developing cancer.
How You Can Reduce Your Cancer Risk
Avoid Processed Foods
So while you may not easily be able to pack your bags and move your entire family to a new state or country where air pollution isn’t problematic, you can engage in other healthy behaviors.
For example, diet plays a significant role in keeping cancer at bay. A division of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer, released information earlier this year stating that red meat is “probably carcinogenic to humans” and that processed meats are “carcinogenic to humans”. The likes of bacon and hot dogs are made using all kinds of health-harming methods designed to preserve the food and enhance flavors.
Exercise More
One of the best ways to keep your weight at an average number is by exercising. Make sure you get enough exercise in your daily life so you can keep your weight down. Some medical professionals are writing their overweight patients, park prescription so they will walk more instead of just taking another pill.
There are a couple doctors out there that are making a person’s work commute and adding walking instead of sitting on a bus or car for hours.
It’s been found that excess weight is associated with the development of almost 10 cancers, including breast, bowel, esophagus, ovary and liver cancer. It’s estimated that one in six of these cancers could be prevented by—you guessed it—maintaining a healthy weight.
Stop Smoking
When it comes to smoking, it’s no secret that quitting (or never taking it up in the first place), greatly reduces the chances of developing cancer. The National Cancer Institute explains that more than 250 cancer-causing chemicals—ranging from arsenic and vinyl chloride to nickel and formaldehyde—lurk in tobacco smoke.
In addition to causing stroke and heart disease, puffing away on cigarettes is also associated with causing a variety of cancers such as cancer of the mouth, throat, stomach, liver and rectum.
Do your best to improve your diet, watch your weight and stop smoking. By taking charge of that which you can easily control, you’ll be well on your way to reducing the risks of cancer