Preventing cancer
Ways to avoid half of tumors on the example of a Canadian province
Ivan Sychev, Geektimes based on Alberta Prevents Cancer
A study by Canadian scientists in a province with a population of 3.8 million people found that about 45% of cancer cases are associated with preventable factors. Smoking, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, excess weight and alcohol increase the chance of tumor formation.
The study examined cancer cases over several years in the Canadian province of Alberta with its capital in Edmonton. According to the results, experts have compiled a list of factors that influenced the formation of tumors. According to researchers, it is possible to avoid 6,700 cases of cancer per year if residents follow a few simple tips.
Albertans can see online data on various types of cancer and information about whether their lifestyle and environment can affect the occurrence of cancer. In November 2014, researchers received a $750,000 grant from the Canadian Public Cancer Research Institute to conduct a nationwide study and find a link between cancer and risk factors in each province.
How to avoid cancer?
Lead an active lifestyleScientists claim they could prevent 1 in 12 cancer cases in Alberta by boosting people's activity.
Regular physical activity reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, lung, prostate, ovarian, uterine and breast cancer – and this is 1,298 cases per year.
Some hormones in the blood help cancer cells grow. Estrogen affects breast and uterine cancer. Insulin causes growth in other parts of the body. An active lifestyle reduces the level of these hormones. Exercise helps strengthen the immune system. Also, physical activity accelerates the digestive process and protects the colon from excessive exposure to carcinogens in the stool. Sport helps to control weight – another important factor in preventing cancer.
Researchers advise to exercise at least 150 minutes a week, not forgetting about exercises to strengthen muscles, bones and joints. The same advice will help reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and depression, as well as improve sleep and mood.
Keep an eye on nutritionA diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber along with meat without too much processing helps to reduce the chance of cancer.
"We can prevent 810 cancer cases in Alberta a year – if we help each other eat better," the study's website says.
Cancer is often associated with a lack of vegetables and fruits – 2% of cases in the province. Lack of fiber leads to colorectal cancer – this is 6% of cases. Too much red meat and deep-processed foods also lead to colorectal cancer. We are talking about pork, beef, ham, bacon, sausage and sausages. 12% of cases are associated with excess salt.
A healthy balanced diet should include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein sources – meat or its substitutes. Nutrients in fruits and vegetables affect chemical elements that can damage DNA and help restore it, block the formation of cancer-forming elements, and stimulate the immune system.
Watch your weightIf everyone in Alberta monitored weight, 673 cases of cancer per year could have been avoided.
Excess weight is associated with several types of cancer: colorectal, breast, uterus, kidney, pancreas, esophagus, gallbladder. But if pancreatic cancer is associated with overweight or obesity in 7% of cases, then for esophageal cancer this figure was 31%.
When a person is overweight, the cells respond more slowly to insulin. Therefore, the body increases the level of this hormone, which leads to the growth of cancer cells. The same is true with estrogen, the level of which also increases with excess weight. Another factor is inflammatory processes.
If you are overweight, the chance of getting reflux esophagitis increases - throwing stomach contents into the esophagus. And this is an increase in the chance of esophageal cancer.
Alberta Health Services recommend that men maintain a waist circumference of up to 102 cm, and women – up to 88 cm. The body mass index can be calculated on the calculator at the bottom of this page. The index will not work if you have a large amount of muscle mass – the result will show you "obesity" or "overweight".
Check with doctorsDetection of tumors in the early stages significantly increases the chance of a cure.
Doctors advise to undergo a full examination at least once every three years. If a person has human papillomavirus (HPV), it is better to go to the doctor more often.
Prevent the risk of HPV infection Human papillomavirus has more than 170 strains in 43 species and 5 genera.
Its carriers are six out of ten people. This virus causes warts, including genital warts.
But the worst thing is that it causes cervical cancer in 100% of cases, anal cancer in 90% of cases, penile cancer in 50% of cases, vaginal cancer in 40% of cases and cancer of the oral mucosa in 35%.
Out of a hundred people with HPV, seventy are sexually active. Most people do not even suspect that they have HPV, and many have not heard of this virus in principle. But often people with HPV defeat it with the help of their own immune system without harm to their health.
HPV is easy to get infected – it spreads from skin contact in the genital area. No penetration is needed, oral sex and touching are enough. In any case, condoms will not save. The vaccine and smoking cessation will help.
Quit smokingAccording to researchers, smoking is associated with thirteen types of cancer.
One in seven cases of cancer is associated with tobacco. Of the seven thousand chemicals in a cigarette, at least 172 are toxic, and 69 are definitely the cause of cancer. Passive smoking and chewing tobacco can also cause a tumor.
A day after quitting smoking, the chance of having a heart attack decreases, after nine months it becomes easier to breathe, and after ten years the risk of lung cancer decreases by 50%.
Sunbathe lessUltraviolet radiation in Alberta causes 82% of cases of melanoma – skin cancer.
Excessive amounts of ultraviolet light received from the sun or in a solarium are associated with the formation of skin cancer and with a weakening of the immune system. Going to the solarium under the age of thirty-five increases the chance of getting melanoma by 59%.
Drink less alcoholThe researchers write that reducing alcohol consumption will help to avoid injury, cruelty and poisoning.
And regarding cancer, alcohol in Alberta causes 617 cases of cancer per year.
We are talking about colorectal cancer and cancer of the breast, larynx, esophagus, liver. The chances of getting one of these diseases increase if alcohol goes hand in hand with smoking.
Alcohol consumption leads to an increase in the amount of free radicals that can damage cells and cause cancer. Alcohol absorbs vitamin B6, which increases the risk of breast and colorectal cancer. An increase in estrogen levels also increases the risk of breast cancer.
Other risksThe researchers identified several other factors:
- Hepatitis B and C,oral contraceptives,
- hormone replacement therapy,
- radon (you can check the level of this gas in the apartment by calling specialists),
- air pollution.
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08.02.2015