Beat, Treat and defeat Cancer

When is it OK to put the words “good news” and “cancer” in the same sentence? Right now! Overall cancer rates are failing – dropping about a half a per cent annually for cancers of the breast, cervix, colon, lings and prostate  in recent years. This means your attempts to prevent it (with the HPV vaccine, aspirin, exercise, quitting tobacco, making better food choices and / or stress management) or to detect it earlier with mammography , colonoscopy and physical exams are working.

Wow-worthy advances:

Some of the toughest cancers have been taking it on the chin lately. Lung cancer may become easier to treat as more long term smokers quit and then sign up for yearly low-dose computed to mography screenings that detect it in early stages. )Ask your doctor about the CT scan if you’re 55 to 74 and smoked the equivalent of a pack a day for 30 years or more.)

Next there’s new evidence that vitamin D-3 (at prescription strength doses) eases breast cancer treatment pain by 30 per cent, making it easier to stick with therapy.

The power of prevention:

Meanwhile, researchers from Washington University recently published this bold statement in a major medical journal: “More than half of the cancer occurring today is preventable by applying knowledge that we already have.” In other words, your lifestyle choices, such as quitting smoking, eating healthfully and working out regularly, make a big difference.

Keep your midsection slim:

This alone can slash your risk for a fatal cancer by 20 per cent. Keeping your weight within a healthy range and avoiding belly flab is especially effective against cancers of the breast (in women after menopause), Colon, Uterus, Oesophagus, Kidneys and Pancreas and may trim back your odds for cancers of the gallbladder, liver, cervix, ovaries and prostate, too. The link may be that less belly fat means lower levels of cancer – fuelling hormones such as insulin and oestrogen.

Say “Yes” to the fibre in whole grains and produce:

Eating beans three times a week cuts risk for precancerous colon polyps 33 per cent; brown rice just once a week drops it 40 per cent. Green Vegetables and dried fruit supply vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that may help your body fight back.

Love a meat alternative:

Avoiding red meat could cut your overall cancer risk by 40 per cent. Substituting fish could specifically lower your risk for colon cancer by 40 per cent.

Walk for 30 minutes today. Repeat tomorrow:

Thirty to 60 minutes of exercise a day can lower your odds for cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, lungs and uterus.

Ask about aspirin:

Taking 162 milligrams of aspirin daily (sip a glass of warm water before and after) may prevent several types of cancer, such as breast, prostate and colon.

King Features Syndicate.

Thanks,

The Hindu- Well Being,

16/12/2012