You CAN prevent cancer

Despite the wonders of today’s medicine, treatment and the cornucopia of effective medications, many people consider cancer to be pretty much inevitable. The attitude of “there’s nothing we can do anyway,” dominates many thought processes. But is this gloomy view accurate?

Cancer is a lot of different diseases, which is why it is mysterious and frighteningMany believe that “everything” causes cancer. It is difficult not to come to that conclusion when we see people who appear to have done “everything right” yet are still diagnosed with cancer. The conflicting advice and mixed messages surrounding cancer can be difficult to sort out which, in turn, makes cancer even more frightening.

Many aspects of cancer are outside our control, but there are things we can do to prevent itIndeed, a few lifestyle changes can dramatically improve your chance of avoiding cancer.

1. The first step is not to smoke and to avoid smokeless tobacco. This is not a big surprise since we have known for decades that cigarette (and pipe and cigar) smoking causes lung cancer (don’t forget about chewing tobacco). Add in esophageal, larynx, throat, kidney, stomach and a few other cancers and tobacco takes its prominent role on the list of killers.
2. Being obese appears to contribute to cancer as well. U.S. data suggests that 14 percent of cancer deaths in men (and 20 percent in women) can be linked to obesity. Cancers associated with this include colorectal, gall bladder and liver cancers and leukemia among others.
3. Physical activity also helps prevent cancer, but not just because it helps control weight. Exercise seems to lower hormone and cellular growth factors and even improving the immune system. Since people who exercise often do other healthy things, the links are not clear between the type and amount of exercise and the reduction in cancer risk.
4. A healthy diet that follows the Canada Food Guide and limits red meat and pork will also prevent cancer. In simple terms, a diet rich in vegetables and fruit, beans and whole grains will be good for you (in so many ways). Charbroiling and high-heat cooking like barbeque and gas grill, along with frying all encourage the creation of chemicals which are believed to increase cancer risk. High levels of these chemicals are associated with different cancers in rodents and linked to colorectal, pancreatic and prostate cancers in people.
5. UV radiation from the sun (and yes, tanning beds) is a significant source of cancer: most skin cancers are linked to UV exposure. Sunscreen does help, but no product is perfectly preventative.
6. Air pollution, both outdoors and indoors, is another clear link to cancer. Avoiding exposure to outdoor pollution may mean less activity during peak traffic or choosing walking and activity areas away from traffic. Indoors, cleaning products, mothballs, manufactured wood products can all release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) some of which are known carcinogens, along with formaldehyde.

Submitted by Dr. Paul Martiquet is the Medical Health Officer for Rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.