Top 10 Tips to Preventing Cancer for National Cancer Prevention Month
(Pinellas Park, Fla.) February 9, 2010 – February is National Cancer Prevention Month and with this disease being the second largest killer in the U.S. after heart disease, with more than one million new cases diagnosed each year and is predicted to take the #1 spot this year…it’s a time where education and awareness are key. We all hear hundreds of anecdotes on disease-fighting, health-improving tips and trends but what are the true top ten tips everyone should know to prevent that dreaded “C” word?
According to local oncologist, Robert Miller, M.D., these are the TOP TEN cancer-reducing behaviors everyone should pay attention to:
1. Avoid tobacco
2. Be physically active
3. Maintain a healthy weight
4. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and foods low in saturated/trans fat
5. Limit alcohol consumption
6. Protect against sexually transmitted infections
7. Avoid excess sun or other environmental factors
8. Get regular screening for breast cancer and cervical cancers for women
9. Get regular screening for prostate cancer for men
10. Get regular screening for colorectal cancer
“Cancer is a frightening disease because it has become so common and can affect men or women of all ages. Because there are often no early symptoms or reliable early screening tests, patient education and prevention strategies are very important,” said Dr. Miller.
Scientists however, estimate that as many as 50-75 percent of cancer deaths in the U.S. are caused by human behavior. “Smoking, being a couch potato or eating too many potato chips while on that couch are the main reasons a disease like cancer may creep-up on someone,” said Dr. Miller. Tobacco use alone accounts for 30 percent of all U.S. cancer deaths. “Campaigns to quit smoking are vital in our community,” said Dr. Miller.
Diet is another crucial piece to the prevention puzzle. Unfortunately, 7 out of 10 adults do not consume the recommended portion (4 to 13 servings depending on energy needs) of vegetables in a day. “Perhaps you aren’t the type to eat an apple, skin and all or maybe your bananas get too ripe too fast – there are delicious fruit drinks, snacks or bars fortified with vitamins and minerals that use the ‘real thing’ and can supplement a fruit and vegetable-rich diet, such as V8 fruit and vegetable drinks,” said Dr. Miller. The doctor however encourages the ‘real thing’ when it comes to personal health and avoiding the “C” word. People whose diets are rich in these types of “plant foods” have a lower risk of getting cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach and lung with some suggested evidence for preventing colon, pancreas and prostate cancers. In addition to preventing the “C” word diseases, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension risks decrease.
Does a Wii Workout count?
According to Dr. Miller, obesity and physical inactivity causes about 25-30 percent of cancers in the U.S. including colon, breast, endometrial, kidney and esophageal cancers. Obesity is estimated to cause 14 percent of cancer deaths in men and 20 percent in women. So does a Wii gaming workout count? “A Wii workout may just count, partially, because physical activity at work or during leisure time is linked to a 30-percent lower risk of colon cancer,” said Dr. Miller. Both vigorous and moderate levels of physical activity reduce the risk of cancers. “Exercise also improved the quality of life among cancer patients and survivors,” said Dr. Miller. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans that recommend at least one hour of exercise every day for kids and teens and 2.5 hours of moderate intensity aerobic activity, or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity for adults each week. “Previous recommendations had daily routine requirements rather than a culmination for the week – so that makes it easier for people to grasp,” said Dr. Miller.
Florida’s no-smoking laws truly make a difference
Secondhand smoke (SHS) or “environmental tobacco smoke” is a complex mixture containing thousands of chemicals like formaldehyde, cyanide, carbon monoxide, ammonia and nicotine – 250 chemicals toxic and cancer causing! Scientific evidence shows that SHS causes premature death and disease in children and adults who do not smoke. SHS causes nearly 3,400 lung cancer deaths and nearly 46,000 heart disease deaths among nonsmoking American adults and 430 SIDS deaths among American infants. “Eliminating your own exposure to indoor smoking is the best preventative measure against this,” said Dr. Miller.
Florida… The Sunshine State
More than one million people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the U.S. every year but the good news is that skin cancers can be easily prevented. “Studies show that reducing exposure to sun, tanning beds/booths and sun lamps can lower the risk of skin cancer,” said Dr. Miller. Avoiding sunburns especially in kids in teens reduces the chance of melanoma skin cancer.
Marvelous Moderation
Risks of mouth cancers (and breast cancers in women) increase after about one daily alcoholic drink for women and two for men. Liver cancer and colorectal cancer risks increase with five or more drinks a day. The earlier and longer-term overuse in drinking habits, the more the risk. Combining alcohol and tobacco is even riskier because it increases the chances of getting cancers of the mouth, throat and esophagus.
Death rates of cancers are continually decreasing with the emphasis on preventative screenings. From men regularly screening for prostate cancer to woman regularly being screened for cervical and breast cancers, this spread of preventative knowledge is truly saving lives.
About WellSpring Oncology: Doctors Robert Miller, Zucel Solc and Frank Franzese opened the doors of WellSpring Oncology in spring of 2008 to provide high-end treatment in a more personal and caring environment. The doctors at WellSpring Oncology have been practicing innovative radiation therapy since the 1970’s and developed the center to ensure patients have access to the latest technology available in the treatment of cancer. The doctors of WellSpring Oncology are all board-certified in radiation oncology and received their training at the top centers in the country, including MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering and the University of California San Francisco.
WellSpring Oncology is located at 6600 Sixty Sixth Street North in Pinellas Park, Florida. For more information, contact WellSpring Oncology at (727) 343-0600 or visit them online at www.wellspringoncology.org.