COMMON CANCERS IN WOMEN AND WAYS TO PREVENT THEM USING DIET.

 

Cancer is a group of diseases involving cell growth that has the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. In cancers, some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues. Cancer harms the body when altered cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors.

Cancer can be directly linked to your family medical history, your environment and your lifestyle choices. While we cannot control our family’s medical history or our environment, we can make life style choices like diet, weight, exercise, giving up smoking, etc. These preventive measures seem to be under-estimated by people, but the truth is that they really work.

Some of the cancers that most often affect women are breast, Colon, Endometrial, lung, cervical, skin and ovarian cancers. Knowing about these cancers and what you can do to help prevent them may help save lives.

BREAST CANCER

The ratio of women getting this cancer is 1 in 8.It is said to be the most common cancer among women. The risk factors to getting breast cancer are numerous. They include;

1. Age – women above 55 years.

2. Family history – You are at greater risk if your sister, mother, or grandmother suffered breast cancer.

3. A dense breast tissue.

4. Women that their menstrual  period  started before the age of 12.

5. Women that reach menopause after the age of 55.

6. Women that have never being pregnant, or that had their first baby after the age of 30.

7. Taking birth control pills.

8. Being over-weight.

9. Women who have never breast –fed a baby.

10. Lack of exercise.

11. Heavy drinking.

12. Hormone therapy after menopause.

 

LUNG CANCER

The risk of this cancer is reduced if people quit smoking, exercised, and also reduced their alcohol intake.

 

COLON CANCER

This is said to be more common among women that are 50 and above. Family history, heavy drinking, Low fiber and high fat diet, smoking, and lack of exercise are some of the risk factors.

 

UTERINE CANCER

This has to do with hormonal changes in the body, particularly in respect to the Estrogen. Uterine  cancer  also known as endometrial cancer has some risk factors related to it. They are;

1.       Estrogen therapy.

2.       If you have never being pregnant.

3.       If your menstrual periods are above average.

4.       Ovarian tumours.

5.       Obesity.

6.       A high fat diet.

7.       Diabetes

8.       Age.

9.       Family history of colon, breast, or ovarian cancers.

 

Having a family history of cancer or not, certain lifestyle changes especially your diet can make a huge difference in helping you fight off and prevent cancer. Certain foods can increase our risk of cancer while there are those that support and strengthen our  immune  system  against  the disease.  Some of  these  foods  are ;

1.       Fruits and vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables contain less  unhealthy fat, have more fiber and cancer fighting nutrients. These three  factors  combine  to support the immune system and help fight off cancer.

2.       Eat a healthy balanced diet. A balanced plant based diet filled with fruits and vegetables, soy, nuts, whole grains and beans can help lower the risk for many types of cancer.

3.       Eat a lot of Fiber. Diets that are high in fiber can help keep the bowel healthy and prevent constipation and thereby reduce the risk of bowel cancer. Fiber rich foods include wholegrain pasta, bread, cereals and  rice. Pulses, fruits and vegetables are also good sources  of fibre.

4.       Drink plenty of water. Water is essential in fighting cancer. It stimulates the immune system, removes waste and toxins, and  transports nutrients to all the organs in the body.

5.       Cut down on or completely  avoid  red and processed meat. They lack fiber and nutrients that fight cancer and some red meats contain saturated fat.

6.       Eat only good fats. Some fats from whole milk diary and eggs have some health benefits.  Unhealth y saturated  fats  from fast and fried foods can increase cancer risk.

7.       Eat fish once or twice a week. Salmon, sardines and herrings are good.

8.       Cook with olive oil instead of vegetable or other saturated oils.

9.       Check the ingredients list on food labels before buying them.

10.   The way you cook  and store your food  can also help in your effort to prevent cancer.

11.   Salt. High salt diet has been linked with stomach cancer. Choose  foods  that are  low in salt.

12.   Alcohol consumption should  be  reduced or completely avoided.

13.   Drinking sweetened beverages leads to weight gain and obesity both of which are leading factors for some cancers. Drink plenty water instead.