Protecting oneself from developing cancer is not a difficult task to do..but actually consist of simple measures that require precaution! Guidelines are provided by the American Cancer Society which are well thought of and very simple… but in general it’s really up to us to know them well and to follow the rules.
Here are some Tips that I recommend to every patient of mine based on years of accumulated evidence proven to reduce ones risk to develop cancer:
1.Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death! Even with this data, you can still see smokers in our midst. Common sense tells us: Quit Smoking!
2. About 500,000 deaths from cancer is due to poor nutrition, inactivity and obesity! Excess calories have been shown to cause mutations of genes that lead to cancer of the colon and prostate. Common sense tells us: Be Fit and Move!
3. Screening for these cancers are routinely done if asked for. The earlier majority of the cancers are caught the more likely they are treatable! Common sense tells us: Have a routine examination yearly.
4. Routine examination of ones body for growing moles or lumps in the breast should prompt one to seek medical attention. Melanoma for example can be diagnosed early by routine body check. Common sense tells us: 15 minutes of sun exposure is needed to increase vitamin D level in the blood but expose yourself to the sun during the safest hours…before 10 AM or after 4 PM!
5. Eat healthy with plenty of fruits and vegetables: One study in Scotland showed a 40% reduction in risk of developing cancer. Simple guideline is 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
6. Get enough sleep and rest! A Stanford University study showed a good sleep pattern can reduce the risk to develop cancer.
They are not difficult tasks to do but again people are just refusing to follow the simple rules of preventive medicine. We may not be able to prevent cancer but we can really reduce our risk from getting them by doing the right thing with the right attitude!
Prevention Is Still Better Than Cure!
Related Posts:
On certain occasions, I go out for dinner and invite friends or get invited by friends and we usually get together and eat at the finest restaurants in Cebu where steak is the specialty and really yummy! Sometimes I can’t control the urge that instead of a sea bass, my taste buds request a steak!
The skin is the largest organ of the body. But is also the largest carrier of bacteria. As often as it is advised… we seldom follow the simple rules of 
The Best Healthy Practice of Handwashing is to wet both hands with water then apply soap…rub both hands together briskly for 15 seconds before rinsing! Handrubbing which is practiced more in hospitals however has been shown to remove more bacteria than handwashing.
Stress indeed is the number 1 culprit in terms of its bad effects on ones health. Stress comes in a variety of ways and can result in myriad of symptoms.
We are always taught that vegetables are good for the body. But eating vegetables should be learned from the time we learn how to eat! The problem comes with parents who don’t like vegetables and therefore don’t teach kids to eat them.
I usually refrain from taking apple juice because any fruit juice for me is plain sugar. I always have this rule: A fruit is better than a puree… a puree is better than a juice! BUT new studies may change my way of dealing with juices.
One 
Just talked with a patient regarding her weight and her risk for diabetes and other diseases related to being overweight. Her relative apparently just died of colon cancer. That’s when our focus of discussion shifted to dietary habits and how high fiber diet can help prevent diseases that are now so commonly affecting the health system.
The fad of low carb and high protein diet has put protein at the center stage! People are now aware of protein. And I see people in parties filling up their plates with beef, pork and cheese obviously following the Atkins or the South Beach diet! But what’s the use of protein and are all proteins the same?
The 
Patients with diabetes are prone to gum disease. Good blood sugar control helps prevent gingivitis or gum disease but once they develop gum problem comes the dreadful BAD Breath!
Almost always when a patient presents in the ER with massive heart attack, a history of heartburn symptoms were noted days or months prior to the ER visit. The patient has been complaining of on and off ” heartburn” apparently due to bad food or missed meal symptoms of hyperacidity. Neglected for days, the patient then presents himself in the ER in an emergency situation.
One very interesting blog I’ve read on health and diet is titled 
I take my daily multivitamin. Any Vitamin preparation is a dietary supplement. But also those in the market sold as health food supplements such as herbals, amino acids and energy bars.
We have vaccines for infections like flu and pneumonia… now comes a vaccine for obesity? This would really be interesting.
I am extra careful with regard to disciplining my kids. In certain times of stress… your voice may become loud enough for you to realize later that you need to lower it down a bit! My wife always remind me to take it easy and we resort to non verbal or non contact strategies like no Gameboy privileges or standing in one corner for a number of minutes which usually work!
I
We always think of the equation: what you take in EQUALS what you take out! A simple equation now being questioned with new findings on studies that this may not be so….
It’s indeed a CATCH 22… The Benefits of Fish versus The Fear of Mercury Contamination!
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen or Advil that we are familiar with have been shown in one study to not only Kill Pain but also Kill your Erection!… Whew… That’s pretty scary!
Know The HEALTH FACTS ... Because WEALTH THRU PERSONAL HEALTH is a COMMITMENT... NOT A CHOICE!
The Total Number of Visitors to the site since August of 2006
That Health Rules 