I think there are few things we fear more than hearing the words, “You have cancer“.
What we may not realize is that there is a lot we can do to reduce our risk of getting cancer, because only about 5% of cancers are caused by genetic factors, and even then, lifestyle plays a huge role. 95% of cancers are directly related to lifestyle and exposure to toxins, which means that there are lots of ways we can protect ourselves.
Evita, from Evolving Wellness, has written an excellent article, listing the Top 13 Risk Factors for Cancer. It is well worth the read.
Scientists are finding more evidence that the “seeds” for certain cancers (most notably breast cancer) are laid in adolescence already. So, if you’re a parent it is most important to instill good, healthy habits in your kids early on. It can save them a lot of pain and misery later in life. This tweet says it all:
@SmashFit: It’s ok to say NO to your kids and moniter what they eat. Our job is to keep them healthy FIRST, happy second.
Always remember that cancer is an abnormal cell in a toxic environment. Clean up the toxic environment and cancer has no habitat in the body.
Let’s get, and stay, healthy!
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*goes to have a fag*
Gilz´s last blog ..Blog Award
Thank you for the link, Hanlie. One of the tragedies of being poor, I think, is the absence of choice of where to live. Quite often, the areas near industrial sites are the only places some people can afford to live. That’s why the rest of us need to persist in the fight against air and soil pollution.
“Clean up the toxic environment and cancer has no habitat in the body.” Great statement, Hanlie. I think it’s easier to do that than many of us think, too, just by eating well. Our bodies are naturally great detoxifiers — we evolved to do that — but the typical diet of today just doesn’t support that ability.
The only thing I have objections to in this post is that, by implication, if there’s so much we can DO to prevent cancer, then everyone who GETS cancer is to blame for their own illness. It’s YOUR fault you have cancer. (And therefore, at least to the current, pre-improved medical insurance industry… they shouldn’t have to pay for treatment.)
It’s important for people to keep in mind that while they can *reduce* their risks, there are a lot of other factors, not all of which are understood, that can still increase your risk. I don’t think it’s possible to be so vigilant as to avoid it entirely; if you live long enough, as a human being, you will eventually develop some sort of cancer (if something else doesn’t kill you first.)
While you can lower your risks, you cannot eliminate your risks. I say this specifically because when someone is fighting cancer, they’re going to have a hard time getting better and living with the treatments if what they’re doing is blaming/hating themselves for getting sick in the first place. There’s a lot of self-hatred and blame and “what did I do to deserve this” in the original diagnosis, and those sorts of moods and emotions make it harder to treat.
Lynn C´s last blog ..Not There Yet
Like you, I believe there is a lot we can do to (and I’ll be cautious here) reduce our risks of getting cancer. I also tend to believe that our thoughts – subconscious & conscious – lead to dis-ease in our bodies.
I’m still amazed that George Burns, who smoked cigars like some of us eat meals, lived well into his 90’s and was, for all intent & purposes, a healthy guy. Makes me think attitude really does play a big role in how healthy or unhealthy we are.
Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..Redefining Success
There are so many people who don’t know this! Sometimes I feel like I can’t say anything to them without offending them. I just hope that people will realize that living a healthy lifestyle like I am doing will reap its own benefits as they notice my kids aren’t getting sick, or having their lympathic organs removed, etc. Also the joy I convey on a regular basis I think will be a dead giveaway that I’m doing something right.
Tricia´s last blog ..Today’s raw food intake
I am rushing to get my blog reading in for the night, but I have marked this article for reading later. Thanks Hanlie!
South Beach Steve´s last blog ..Heading to Washington
Given the sheer amount of money that the US spends on health care and the effectiveness of prevention, one would think that more money would be spent to prevent the damage to our health in the first place. Treating many cancers and other acquired diseases could be completely avoided if the general public were convinced of the value of healthy lifestyle.
Wellescent Health Blog´s last blog ..Big Costs from Atrial Fibrillation’s Small Heart Flutter
Thanks for this… especially today. Thank you also for your kind words.
biggirl´s last blog ..Think Good Thoughts
I do think we can avoid much illness by taking care of ourselves, eating lots of fruits and veggies and exercising on a regular basis. There are too many studies out there to deny this truth.
Kat´s last blog ..Thank you Josie!
Biggest way to reduce cancer…Listen to your body! Which means eating healthy, staying fit, breathing freshair, and taking time to relax.