"How could it be me?" Li Li (pseudonym) held the diagnosis certificate, as if she had been struck by lightning.
Li Li is almost forty years old, and like most of us, she is busy every day, running between work and life. Who would have thought that cancer would find her? For a while, she was completely stunned, and the panic in her heart really couldn't be described in words.
Family and friends gathered around her to comfort her and say some warm words. But to be honest, those words can really only warm the heart, and cannot solve the actual problem.
Then the doctor said, "Actually, a lot of cancers are preventable. ”
This sentence really seems to have opened a window for Li Li. She thought to herself, "Really, if I had known this, wouldn't I have escaped this?"
01
In modern medical research, more and more evidence shows that the occurrence of many cancers is closely related to our lifestyle habits, environmental factors and genetic background.
According to the authoritative report of the World Health Organization, a significant proportion of the 20 million new cancer cases worldwide each year can be prevented by improving lifestyle habits and environmental factors.
This data reveals an important fact for us: cancer risk is largely manageable.
Specifically, about 30 to 50 percent of cancer cases are related to controllable risk factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, physical inactivity, and long-term exposure to harmful environments or chemicals.
Smoking, for example, is a major risk factor for many types of cancer, including lung, laryngeal, and esophageal cancers. Similarly, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise are also strongly associated with the occurrence of cancers such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, etc.
On the mainland, new cancer cases reflect a similar problem. The incidence of high-incidence cancer varies between men and women, and the incidence increases sharply with age, increases rapidly after the age of 35, and reaches a peak at the age of 80~84.
However, by improving the above-mentioned controllable risk factors, we have the potential to drastically reduce the incidence of these cancers.
This finding provides us with an important perspective: cancer prevention is not just a medical issue, but a comprehensive issue involving an individual's lifestyle habits and social environment.
Through active lifestyle choices and environmental protection measures, each of us has the power to reduce our own risk of cancer. This is not only a responsibility for personal health, but also a contribution to the cause of public health in society.
02
In order to help the public better prevent cancer, scientists have summarized the following seven practical cancer prevention suggestions based on a large number of research and practices:
1, Maintain healthy weight
Obesity or overweight is associated with an increased risk of a variety of cancers, including but not limited to liver, kidney, and gallbladder cancers. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight is key to preventing these cancers.
2. Regular physical activity
Lack of physical activity is associated with the incidence of many types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, etc. Scientists recommend that we get a moderate amount of physical activity every week, which not only improves our physical performance, but also reduces chronic inflammation, which in turn reduces the chance of cancer.
3. Eat a balanced and healthy diet
Our diet has a direct impact on the risk of cancer. Nutrient-rich foods such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits can help prevent digestive cancers, among other things.
At the same time, we should limit the intake of high-fat foods, "fast food" and processed meats to reduce the risk of prostate, kidney and stomach cancers, among others.
4. Reduce the intake of sweetened beverages
Excessive sugar intake is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic and liver cancer. Therefore, we should minimize the intake of sugary sweetened beverages and opt for healthier beverages such as water, juice or tea.
5. Limit alcohol intake
Alcohol intake is strongly associated with the risk of several cancers, including liver, stomach, and esophageal cancer. Scientists recommend that we try to avoid alcohol, or at least keep it to a minimum.
6. Avoid exposure to carcinogens
Certain chemicals, radiation, and environmental pollutants are known carcinogens. We should try to avoid exposure to these substances, such as taking necessary precautions at work to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.
7. Regular screening and early detection
Many cancers are curable or effectively controlled at an early stage. Through regular cancer screening and early detection, we can detect and treat cancer in a timely manner, thereby improving cure rates and quality of life.
It is not difficult to find that cancer prevention is not an unattainable goal. WHO's authoritative data and scientists' recommendations on cancer prevention show us a clear path: by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, we can effectively reduce the risk of cancer.
This is not only a responsibility for personal health, but also a contribution to the family and society. Let's work together to build a healthy and happy living environment so that cancer no longer becomes a threat to our lives.