Are you aware of the fact that only 5% of all the cancers are hereditary? The rest are due to our false lifestyle. Growing fast food centers, consumption of aerated beverages, alcohol, tobacco, smoking and lack of awareness has increased the cancer deaths. Quitting smoking and tobacco chewing, improving one’s diet, increasing physical activity and timely screening and detection can broaden the healthy life by narrowing the risk of cancer.

DIET
Improve your diet. Research says, as many as 1/3 of all cancer deaths are linked to diet and physical activity. Diet plays crucial role in one’s healthy life. Junk food and tinned food shrinks your lifespan. Little efforts like adding a few servings of fresh fruits and raw vegetables to your diet menu each day can make a difference.

EXERCISE
Exercise regularly. Join a fitness centre or go on a 20 minute brisk walk daily in the morning or in the evening. Research indicates that regular exercise can lower the risk of colon cancer by 50 %. Small steps like parking farther from your destination and walking, using staircase instead of lift, using bicycle, if possible, instead of a car for short distance journeys reduce your risk of major cancers.

SCREENING
Not all cancers are fatal and not all cancers are malignant. Even some cancers are asymptomatic showing no signs of its growth. Early screening is estimated to reduce breast cancer deaths by 20-25%.Small steps like talking to your doctor about recommended screenings for breast cancer and other major cancers. Mammogram test is easily available and can be accessed every six months. Women above 35 fall on wider side of breast cancer.
Colon cancer is 90% curable when detected early. Small steps like avoiding too spicy foods, fizzy drinks, canned food as they contain lots of preservatives and flavors. Make sure to get your screening appointments on regular basis and as recommended by the physician.

SMOKING
Smoking accounts for 30% of all cancer deaths. Small steps like calling your state’s free quit line to help you quit can reduce your risk. Will Power is all that you need. Practice Yoga and meditate twice a day. Have a pep talk before you retire to bed. Believe in yourself. After all nothing is impossible. Quitting is not easy, but with the right help and guidance, you can succeed.

Wishing all the readers, a cancer free life.