Reduce your risk of cancer by following these healthy habits

The results of a study published this summer confirmed what doctors and most Americans have known for decades: Specific lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of some cancers. Reduce alcohol consumption. Quit smoking. Exercise and lose some weight. These are all powerful steps that can not only reduce your risk of cancer but can also lower your chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. “Basic lifestyle changes with diet and exercise produce by far the greatest health and wellness effects of any other pill,” says Eugene Ahn, MD, a hematologist/oncologist at our hospital near Chicago.

What did the study say?

Researchers at Harvard Medical School studied the lifestyles of about 135,000 Americans, divided into two groups: those with healthy lifestyles and those with unhealthy ones. People with healthy lifestyles were defined as non-smokers, moderate drinkers who exercised regularly, and had a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 27.5. Researchers have found that cancer risks can be reduced by up to 40 percent by adopting a healthy lifestyle, and that half of all cancer deaths can be attributed to bad habits. The study authors, Dr. Minjiang Song and Edward Giovannucci, write. “Prevention must remain a priority in the fight against cancer.” The study also found that the risks of developing certain cancers, including lung, breast, colorectal, pancreatic and bladder diseases, are reduced by leading a healthier life.

“The funny thing is that people say that teaching these things takes a lot of time and resources, but in fact, it is more profitable to teach and promote these healthy elements than to spend money on drugs.” Dr. says. “But on a cultural and political level, we haven’t caught up with the evidence.” This guide is very clear.

Bad habits that increase risk

Decades of research have linked an increased risk of cancer to certain bad habits, such as:

About smoking: Tobacco products kill nearly 500,000 Americans each year and are the most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. Tobacco smoke contains dozens of carcinogens, and smoking has been linked to several types of cancer, including lung and head and neck cancer. However, in 2014, about 40 million adults were still smoking, most of them every day, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Excessive alcohol intake: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drinking causes nearly 90,000 deaths annually. The National Cancer Institute reports that about 18,000 cancer deaths annually are alcohol-related. Alcohol use has been linked to cancers of the esophagus, head and neck, liver, colon, and breast. However, about 17 million adults abused alcohol at some level in 2014, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Obesity: Obesity is a factor in up to 1 in 10 new cancers each year. Obesity produces hormones and growth factors that research shows can promote tumor growth. Sometimes fat cells also secrete chemicals that can damage DNA. Obesity increases risk factors for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other types of cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 80 million American adults, or about 35 percent of the population, are considered obese.