World Cancer Day : Lets look at the role of nutrition and lifestyle to prevent cancer

When you hear Cancer it just registers as a deadly term which scares everyone as they hear about it every now and then. What once was considered a rare disease is now a common one owing to the lifestyle changes , the diet changes and most importantly the environment we breathe in.

People across the globe need to be aware regarding nutrition and other lifestyle changes that can be implemented to help them recover and potentially reduce the risk of the same cancer recurring or a new one developing.

World Cancer Day, which is observed to spread awareness, inspire change and reduce the global impact of cancer, is celebrated on February 4, every year. On this World Cancer Day, let's dive into the role of nutrition and lifestyle changes in order to reduce the risk of the deadly disease.

Common types of Cancer heard in India are lung cancer, skin cancer, ovarian cancer, cervix cancer and breast cancer.
Some of the most prevalent forms of cancer in India are caused by poor lifestyle and hygiene practices. For example, excessive smoking causes lung and oral cancer while consuming alcohol is the cause of cancer in the colon, liver, and breast.
Dr ArunGiri, Director, Department of Surgical Oncology, Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka spoke to ANI about the role of nutrition and lifestyle changes that can help control cancer.
"Tobacco and alcohol-free lifestyle can substantially reduce the cancer burden. Good nutrition aids in preventing cancer. Plant-based diets filled with green, leafy vegetables and lentils, legumes, and fruits provide nutrients as well as dietary fibre," said Dr ArunGiri.
 
Cancer doesn’t develop overnight and certain lifestyle moves and cancer fighting foods can help us in preventing this life-threatening disease. To spread awareness, here are some tips which can help you prevent cancer.
 
Lifestyle tips to prevent cancer
Eat healthily and make it a lifestyle

• Onion, garlic, brazil nuts and wild salmon are your best friends: All these have certain nutrients which help the body to produce cancer-fighting cells or agents and help them die naturally and prevent it from spreading all over in case of any potential. Fish, especially salmon, is packed with inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids which are likely responsible for cancer-fighting effects.
• Say no to Sugary Drinks: these drinks not only aid diabetes and obesity but can be the biggest cause of endometrial cancer as well. Research has shown that the women who are habitual of having sugary drinks have 87 per cent more chances of suffering from cancer because of the weight it adds up to the body.
• Have superfood Broccoli: Broccoli is considered as a super cancer-fighting food. Nutritionists recommend to have steamed ones rather than boiling or frying it before consumption as it contains more healthy components of vegetables.
• Green tea, a saviour: many studies have found that tea drinkers have a reduced risk of ovarian, breast, prostate and lung cancer. ECGC, a chemical in green tea, could be one of the most powerful anti-cancer compounds due to the maximum number of antioxidants.

Maintain your body weight and be physically active
Maintaining body weight not only helps to prevent many diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and thyroid etc but proves to be the saviour from cancer as well. It is advised to include 30 minutes of physical activity in daily regime to keep you fit.
Say no to tobacco
Using tobacco, especially smoking can lead to causing cancer. Even if you are exposed to smoking, you can be the potential cancer patient. Consult a doctor to take help in quitting any kind of tobacco for a healthy and risk-free life.
Be sun safe
Skin cancer is the most common and most preventable cancer in India. Following tips can help in the prevention of the same:

• Avoid going out in the sun during the strongest rays ie. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Keep yourself covered when moving out in the sun.
• Wear darker shades which can reflect ultraviolet rays as compared to the pastel shades.
• Always put on your sunglasses while going out in the Sun. They are not just a style statement.

Get proper medical care
Cancer prevention includes immunity from certain diseases like Hepatitis-B, HPV, HIV and Hepatitis-C. Get yourself vaccinated and do not share needles to prevent such kind of cancer-causing diseases. Go for regular screening of your body to detect any kind of risk related to cancer and get it treated on the early stage itself.