Ten Commandments of Cancer Prevention Offered by
Harvard Mens Health Watch
Up to 75 percent of cancer deaths in the U.S. can
be prevented the magazine says
April
3, 2009 - About one of every three Americans will face some form of
cancer during his or her lifetime. You can help beat these grim
statistics by taking steps to protect yourself right now, according to
Harvard Mens Health Watch, which also offers these ten ways to get
started.
In fact, up to 75% of cancer deaths in the United
States can be prevented, reports the April 2009 issue of the
magazine..
1. Avoid tobacco in all its forms, including
exposure to secondhand smoke.
2. Eat right. Reduce your consumption of
saturated fat and red meat. Limit your intake of charbroiled foods, and
avoid deep-fried foods. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
And dont forget to eat fish two to three times a week.
3. Exercise regularly. Physical activity has
been linked to a reduced risk of colon, prostate, breast, and
reproductive cancers.
4. Stay lean. Obesity increases the risk of
many forms of cancer. Calories countif you need to slim down, take in
fewer calories and burn more with exercise.
5. Limit alcohol consumption. Excess alcohol
increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, liver,
and colon; it also increases a womans risk of breast cancer. If you
choose to drink alcohol, the limit should be one to two drinks a day for
men, no more than one a day for women.
6. Avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation.
Wear sunscreen to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation. Get
medical imaging studies only when you need them. Check your home for
radon.
7. Avoid exposure to industrial and
environmental toxins such as asbestos, benzene, aromatic amines, and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
8. Avoid infections that contribute to
cancer, including hepatitis, HIV, and the human papillomavirus (HPV).
9. Consider taking low-dose aspirin. Men who
take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have a
lower risk of colon and prostate cancers.
10. Get enough vitamin D. Taking 800 to
1,000 international units (IU) daily may help reduce the risk of
prostate and colon cancers.
Harvard Mens Health Watch is available from
Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard Medical
School, for $28 per year.
www.health.harvard.edu/men or 877-649-9457 (toll-free).
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
April
3, 2009 - About one of every three Americans will face some form of
cancer during his or her lifetime. You can help beat these grim
statistics by taking steps to protect yourself right now, according to
Harvard Mens Health Watch, which also offers these ten ways to get
started. 