Lifestyle considerations help with cancer prevention

The International Agency for Research on Cancer’s new code recommends 12 lifestyle measures to boost cancer prevention:

1. Do not smoke.
2. Make your home smoke free.
3. Maintain a healthy body weight.
4. Be physically active. Limit the time you spend sitting.
5. Have a healthy diet, containing plenty of whole grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits. Limit high-calorie foods and avoid sugary drinks. Also avoid processed meat and limit red meat and foods high in salt.
6. Limit alcohol consumption. Not drinking alcohol is better for cancer prevention.
7. Avoid too much sun, especially for children. Use sun protection and do not use sunbeds.
8. Protect yourself against cancer-causing substances by following health and safety instructions in the workplace.
9. Ensure you are not exposed to radiation from naturally high radon levels in your home. Take action to reduce high radon levels.
10. For women – breastfeed your baby if you can, as this reduces the mother’s cancer risk. Hormone replacement therapy also increases the risk of certain cancers.
11. Make sure your children are vaccinated against hepatitis B (for new borns) and human papillomavirus (for girls).
12. Take part in organised cancer screening programmes for bowel cancer (men and women), breast cancer (women) and cervical cancer (women).

Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer

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