What kind of disease is cancer? Part 3

How to reduce risks

Atlas company blog, Geektimes

In the last note, we compiled a list of factors that increase the risk of cancer. In this article, the experts of the Solo project of the Atlas biomedical holding will tell you what factors reduce the risk of developing a malignant tumor.

Quit smoking

If you smoke, the surest way to reduce the risk of cancer is to quit smoking. This is not so easy to do, because tobacco is highly addictive. There are several methods that can replace cigarettes if a smoker decides to quit.

Electronic cigarettes. They are safer than cigarettes, pipes and hookah. People who use e-cigarettes instead of regular ones for six months, according to the results of various tests, have lower levels of toxic and carcinogenic substances. This does not mean that e-cigarettes are completely harmless, but they are well suited as an intermediate option for those who want to quit smoking.

Nicotine replacement therapy. It is a way of delivering nicotine to the body without carbon monoxide, tar and other harmful chemicals. Nicotine replacement drugs are different: patches, chewing gums, tablets and sprays. You can use one thing, but it is better to combine several drugs - then the probability of defeating nicotine addiction increases.

Special preparations. Varenicline and bupropion are active substances that are used to treat nicotine addiction. The first one blocks nicotine receptors, and the second one is an antidepressant that reduces cravings for smoking. The efficacy of varenicline and bupropion has been proven in randomized clinical trials. Taking medications should be prescribed and monitored by a doctor.

Normalize weight

It is quite difficult to assess how weight loss affects cancer risk separately from other factors. Nevertheless, a study on the impact of bariatric surgery on cancer incidence has shown an association between weight loss and a reduced risk of developing malignant tumors among women. Bariatric surgery includes operations on the stomach, which help the patient get rid of excess weight.

For men, not everything is so clear and additional research is needed. However, there is evidence that weight loss reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

To find out if you are overweight, you can use your body mass index (BMI). The index is not indicative for athletes and bodybuilders, pregnant and lactating women. (In addition, the BMI indicators recommended by WHO do not take into account gender, body type and age of a person, so they should be used with caution, only for an approximate assessment – VM).

Control viruses and infections

Some viruses and infections can be eliminated if vaccinated and treated in a timely manner.

Human papillomavirus cannot be cured if infection has already occurred. You can only eliminate the consequences and carefully monitor it: remove warts, be regularly monitored by a doctor. 

There is a vaccine against the human papillomavirus. Vaccination will bring maximum benefit if a girl or a young man receives it in adolescence before the onset of sexual activity. Adults are recommended to be vaccinated before the age of 26. If infection has already occurred, vaccination will still be useful: it will prevent infection with other oncogenic types of HPV.

Hepatitis B can be prevented if you get vaccinated before infection has occurred. Completely get rid of hepatitis It is difficult, but treatment reduces the risk of liver cancer and other diseases. From the hepatitis virus There is no vaccine yet, but it is treatable.

The human immunodeficiency virus cannot be cured completely, but with the help of treatment, it is possible to prevent the development of the disease before the appearance of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which increases the risk of developing oncopathologies. Most of the immunodeficiency virus infections occur during unprotected sexual contact, so you need to remember about such contraceptive measures as a condom.

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is treatable with a course of antibiotics, but not in all cases it needs to be disposed of. Consult a gastroenterologist first. After treatment, a person may become infected with Helicobacter pylori again, since the bacterium is transmitted through saliva.

Do sport

Regular physical activity reduces the risk of colon, breast and endometrial cancer (lining of the uterus). During exercise, the level of growth factors, the hormone insulin and estrogen, which are associated with the development of a tumor, decreases. Also, regular exercise stimulates the immune system, which helps to destroy malignant cells.

Physical activity improves mood, helps to cope with depression, lose weight and feel better. All this improves the quality of life and survival of patients, even if the tumor has already been diagnosed.

Moderate intensity exercises include dancing, active games with children, walking with pets, housework or housework. High–intensity exercises include running, uphill climbing, swimming, aerobics, sports team games.

Eat right

Fruits and vegetables are a source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Eating a large amount of these products can reduce the risk of developing certain types of malignant neoplasms. Also, a large amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet helps to control weight.

A diet high in fiber (it is found in whole grains and cereals) reduces the risk of colorectal cancer. Foods with a high fiber content reduce the interaction time between carcinogens and the rectal epithelium. Dietary fiber helps microbiota bacteria produce beneficial substances that reduce the risk of developing a malignant tumor.

The Mediterranean diet has been found to reduce the risk of breast cancer. This diet is characterized by a high intake of vegetable proteins, whole grains, fish and monounsaturated fatty acids, as well as a low content of red meat and refined sugar in the diet.

It is not necessary to give up processed meat altogether: it is enough to reduce its consumption to 70 grams per day. That's about a few slices of bacon. You can replace processed meat with chicken, turkey, fish, seafood, legumes or vegetables.

Try to cook red meat at low temperatures so that the content of carcinogenic substances in it is less. For example, instead of grilling beef, put it out with vegetables.

It is also recommended to reduce the consumption of salty food, as it increases the risk of developing stomach cancer.

Control alcohol consumption

The daily norm is the consumption of no more than 1 alcoholic drink for women and 1-2 drinks for men.

A standard drink contains approximately 18 ml of pure alcohol. This is approximately:

• 350 ml of beer.

• 240 ml of malt liqueur or strong beer.

• 150 ml of wine.

• 45 ml of whiskey.

Have a baby and breastfeed

In order to reduce the impact of estrogen and reduce the risk of breast cancer, women are advised to give birth to a baby before the age of 30 and choose breastfeeding for a period of one year or longer.

Oral contraceptives or hormone replacement drugs increase the risk of cancer, so consult your doctor before using them. He will be able to correctly assess the risks of a malignant tumor specifically for you.

Protect yourself from ultraviolet and ionizing radiation

Ultraviolet rays come in two types: UVA and UVB. The former damage the deeper layers of the skin, and the latter damage the superficial ones. You need to protect yourself from all types of rays, so choose a sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB. Apply the cream liberally 30 minutes before going out. Refresh the layer every two hours or after each bath.

To protect the skin from harmful effects, also use sunglasses, cover your head and face with a hat or panama hat. At noon, the sun is most active, so it is recommended to stay in the shade from 11 to 16 o'clock.

The radiation level in the house can be monitored using a special dosimeter device. If the level is higher than normal, it can be adjusted.

To prevent radon from accumulating in the room, regularly ventilate the apartment or house. It is also recommended to repair cracks in the floors and walls in the apartment and in the basements of the house, replace wooden floors with concrete, if possible, conduct a ventilation system. But before you start the repair work, consult with an engineer. Perhaps another solution to this problem is more suitable for you.

Learn about hereditary predisposition

Heredity is a genetic factor that a person cannot correct. However, it is important to properly assess the risks and closely monitor health in order to reduce the likelihood of developing malignant neoplasms.

Each type of hereditary mutations that increase the risk of tumor development corresponds to a certain syndrome of hereditary predisposition to oncology.

To roughly assess whether you have a syndrome of hereditary predisposition to malignant tumors, you need to recall the family history of the disease and answer the questions:

• How many relatives in the family have been diagnosed with a malignant tumor?

• What kind of cancer diagnosis did your relative have?

• How old were the relatives when the disease started?

• Is the relative alive at the moment?

If several relatives of the first and second degree of kinship have been diagnosed with a malignant tumor, then perhaps you have a predisposition. But only a geneticist can answer this question for sure based on the results of the analysis. A complete genetic test can be replaced by PCR for the presence of individual mutations.

It must be remembered that malignant tumors are different. The risks of developing each type vary widely and depend on the age of the person. Therefore, we do not recommend self-diagnosis, so as not to get false ideas about your hereditary predispositions.

Patients with a high risk of developing a malignant tumor are monitored by a doctor and regularly undergo examinations. In some cases, such patients are offered preventive surgery.

Bilateral preventive mastectomy, breast removal surgery, reduces the risk of breast cancer by up to 90% in women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. 

Approximately 1% of women have a high risk of developing breast cancer. These include actress Angelina Jolie. Aware of her risk, she had a mastectomy and surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes. These measures have reduced the risk of developing cancer – and inspired many women to make informed decisions and take an attentive attitude to their health.

Reduce the impact of stress

Studies have shown that people who experience chronic stress have problems with digestion, fertility, sleep, as well as a weakened immune system. 

When a person is in a stressful state for a long time, protective mechanisms are activated in his behavior: tendency to overeating, smoking, alcohol consumption. All this increases the risk of developing cancer.

Physical exercises, breathing practices, meditation, relaxing music, communication with loved ones help to cope with stress.

Today Atlas figured out what and how can reduce the risk of cancer. In the next article, we will tell you why it can be difficult to detect a tumor at an early stage and how screening differs from early diagnosis.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  18.07.2017