Return to Main Menu

Preventing cancer: not as hard as you think by Heather Woolwine Public Relations It seems new stories of cancer-causing agents, environmental factors, or even cancer-causing genes bombard various media at an ever-increasing rate.   For the average American, it can become too much to process: “Gosh, it seems like everything causes cancer these days, how can I possibly escape it? I guess I won’t worry about it.” In this case, denial is bliss.   Despite endless discoveries of new causes or catalysts for cancer, reliable ways to reduce a person’s cancer risk can guide anyone through the onslaught of information and serve to lengthen his or her life.   The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Web site cited that one third of all cancer deaths, about 186,000 people, could be prevented if people were simply more active and ate healthier foods.   Just about any health care professional would say that most people do not consume the appropriate number of servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.   Variety and experimentation with different fruit and vegetable combinations not only broaden culinary horizons, but help protect against lung, mouth, esophagus, stomach and colon cancers.   Maintaining a healthy weight is also crucial to reducing cancer risks. For those who are overweight or obese, extra pounds mean increased risk for colon, uterine lining, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, and postmenopausal breast cancers.   Also related to nutrition and weight, too much saturated fat remains bad news. Covered extensively in past years in relation to cholesterol and cardiovascular disease, saturated fats should account for only 30 percent of a person’s daily calorie intake. Recent research suggests that limiting high-fat dairy protects against prostate cancer and low-fat diets might help avoid breast cancer. Common carriers of saturated fat, meats like hot dogs or bacon, may increase the chance for colon cancer, according to the American Medical Association.   Flossing may come as a surprise as a way to reduce cancer risks, but preventing gum disease may indirectly thwart oral cancers, especially for heavy drinkers and smokers.   Then there are the usual suspects: tobacco use, alcohol abuse, sun exposure, lack of exercise, and unsafe sex practices. All increase the risk of cancer including lung, cervix, kidney, larynx, bladder, stomach, colon, rectal, breast, oral, and liver cancers.   Even if a person commits to all of these healthy lifestyle behaviors, the ACS still recommends seeing a physician on a regular basis.   Cancer screenings and staying apprised of new information are vital in the fight against cancer. People with a family history of cancer should consult with their physicians about individual risk factors and precautions.   For more information, go to http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp.     Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778, ext. 201.