7 simple ways to avoid cancer

8/13/2019 7 Simple Ways to Avoid Cancer

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• Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Health Topics »

Following the American Heart Association’s 7 steps for heart health also protects

against cancer, according to a new study. In fact, following six of the seven

steps—or all of them—cuts risk by an astonishing 51 percent, the researchers

reported in the journal Circulation.

Adhering to even three of the steps—known as “Life’s Simple 7” trimmed cancer

risk by 25 percent, compared to people who didn’t follow any of them, accor ding

to the study, which analyzed nearly 20 years’ of data from 13,253 initially healthy

participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

The research adds to an earlier study of middle-aged and older people showing

that following Life’s Simple 7 guidelines reduced risk of dying over the next five

years by more than half. The steps have also been found to dramatically

decrease risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading killer of Americans.

Why are the 7 steps so powerful? “These health metrics—which have also been

called the seven essentials—all work together to reduce inflammation, which is

known to trigger heart disease and also appears to play a significant role incancer,” says Bradley Bale, MD, medical director of the Heart Health Program for

Grace Clinic in Lubbock, Texas.

Life’s Simple 7 is comprised of seven health and lifestyle metrics that the

American Heart Association (AHA) has identified as the best ways to prevent a

heart attack or stroke. And now, the new study shows that adopting all of these

habits can cut your cancer risk by more than 50 percent.

Get Active. Everybody knows that exercise is important, but nearly 70 percent of

Americans don’t get the recommended amount: at least 30 minutes of moderate

activity per day, at least five days a week for adults; and 60 minute every day for

kids. And you don’t have to join a gym to get the benefits. As I recently reported,

many studies show that people who walk regularly live longer, have lower blood

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pressure, reduced risk for diabetes, and sleep better. What’s more, an analysis of

more than 72,000 women, ages 40 to 65, found that those who took brisk walks

for three or more hours cut their risk for heart disease by up to 40 percent.

Related: Build a Home Gym For Under $150

Control Cholesterol. Not only is high cholesterol a major risk factor for heart

disease, but it may also up the threat of cancer, according to a 2012 study by

University of Rochester. The AHA recommends taking action if your total

cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or higher, saying, “High cholesterol can cause blocked

arteries, and like a multi-car pile-up, one problem often creates another,”

including high blood pressure, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Among the

most effective ways to reduce cholesterol are cutting back on saturated and trans

fats, eating more fiber, losing weight, and exercising more. If these measures

aren’t enough, your healthcare provider may advise medication.

Eat Better. A healthy diet is among the best weapons to defend against CVD

and cancer. A recent report by the American Institute for Cancer Research

calculated that if we ate more fiber-rich plant foods—and less red meat—more

than 64,000 cases of cancer a year would be prevented in the US alone. In

February, the first large, randomized study of the Mediterranean diet reported

that a diet high in oily fish, nuts, fruits, vegetables, olive oil and even red wine

reduced overall risk for heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from CVD by 28 to 30

percent, compared to a low-fat diet.

Manage Blood Pressure. High blood pressure (140/90 or higher) is silent killer

stalking one in three American adults. It’s the leading risk factor for stroke and

greatly magnifies the threat of a heart attack or kidney problems Another 67

million Americans have blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89—a disorder

called prehypertension that raises stroke risk by 55 percent and more than triples

heart attack risk. If your blood pressure is in the danger zone, the AHA advises

regular exercise, avoiding smoking, weight loss, and eating a diet that’s low in

sodium and high in potassium, found in such foods as winter squash, sweet

potatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, bananas, white beans, lentils, halibut,

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salmon, chicken, tuna, and pistachios. In many cases, people with high blood

pressure also need to take medication.

Lose Weight. Amazing, but true: A 2012 study found that when obese or

overweight women shed as little as 10 percent of their body weight, their cancer

risk fell. Other research shows that slimming down can cut your risk for at least

seven types of cancer: kidney, pancreas, colon, esophagus, rectum, uterine, and,

in postmenopausal women, breast cancer. If your BMI (body mass index) is 25 or

higher, the AHA recommends that you eat less and move more. Losing as little

as 5 to 10 pounds can dramatically reduce blood pressure, which in turn will cut

risk for CVD.

Related: 23 Diet Plans Reviewed: Do They Work

Reduce Blood Sugar. Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, but 7 million

of them don’t know it. Another 87 million Americans, many of them undiagnosed,

have prediabetes. Both conditions are extremely damaging to blood vessels,

tripling or even quadrupling heart attack danger. To find out if you’re at risk, Dr.

Bale recommends a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test. To avoid high blood

sugar, adds Dr. Bale, “eat like a diabetic, so you never become one.” As I

reported earlier this week, sugar-sweetened drinks have been linked to 25,000

deaths a year in the US from diabetes, CVD, and cancer.

Stop Smoking. In the new study, smoking was the top factor that boostedcancer risk. This deadly addiction is linked to more than 440,000 preventabledeaths a year. However, the good news is that lungs begin to heal as soon asyou snuff out the habit. To avoid or limit weight gain after you quit, try munchingon a low-cal foods (such as carrot or celery sticks), drinking more water, andtaking better care of your teeth. One reason why people overeat after quittingtobacco is a craving for “oral gratification.” Instead, brush for two minutes aftereach meal and snack. Use mouthwash twice a day and enjoy the clean sensationin your mouth. Quitting smoking cuts the risk for periodontal disease, brightensyour smile—and could save your life!
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7 simple ways to avoid cancer

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