February is National Cancer Prevention Month in the United States and American experts have put together some tips that could help reduce the risk of four types of cancer, the most commonly diagnosed in the US, according to 360medical.ro.
One in 2 men and 1 in 3 women in the US will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
The most common types of cancer diagnosed in the US are skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Here’s what you can do to reduce your risk for each.
Skin cancer
Skin cancer mainly develops on areas of the skin exposed to the sun, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms, hands and feet.
But skin cancer can also form on areas that rarely see the light of day, including the palms and soles of the feet, under the fingernails or toenails, and the genital area.
You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet, or UV, radiation.
Also, avoid the sun in the middle of the day.
Wear sunscreen and protective clothing year-round, and avoid tanning beds.
Be aware of medications that cause sun sensitivity, check your skin regularly and report any changes to a healthcare professional.
Breast cancer
Researchers have identified hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors that can increase your risk of breast cancer.
It is estimated that between 5% and 10% of breast cancers are linked to genetic mutations passed down from generation to generation in a family.
It is not clear why some people without risk factors develop cancer while others with risk factors do not. This cancer is likely to be caused by a complex interaction between genetic constitution and environment.
Some risk factors, such as family history, cannot be changed. However, you can make lifestyle changes, including limiting alcohol consumption, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active, to reduce your risk for this cancer.
Mammograms and other screenings are also recommended, which can help detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable.
Prostate cancer
The risk of prostate cancer increases as men age. Other risk factors include obesity and a family history of prostate cancer, breast cancer, or genes that increase the risk of breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2).
African-American men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than men of other races, and their prostate cancer is more likely to be aggressive or advanced.
Although there is no proven prevention strategy, you can reduce your risk of prostate cancer by making healthy choices about diet, weight, and exercise.
Lung cancer
Although the disease can also occur in people who have never smoked, people who smoke or have smoked have the highest risk of lung cancer.
The risk of lung cancer increases with the length of time and the number of cigarettes a person smokes.
If you quit smoking, even after smoking for many years, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.
Lung cancer screening is a process that is used to detect the presence of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people at high risk of lung cancer.
Also, lung cancer screening is recommended for older adults who are long-time smokers and do not have any signs or symptoms of lung cancer.
