February is the month of love, home of Valentine’s Day and all matters of the heart. However, it is also National Cancer Prevention Month. In honor of this observance, local oncologists are urging others to focus a little love upon themselves by making a few lifestyle changes to help reduce their cancer risk.
“There are many factors that contribute to the development of cancer,” says Debra Freeman, M.D., oncologist at CyberKnife Centers of Tampa Bay. “Our genes, lifestyle and environment can all contribute to our risk level. However, making simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference.”
You Are What You Eat
To be healthier, you have to eat healthier. And while there is no guarantee that eating better will prevent cancer altogether, it will certainly help reduce your risk. One guideline is to reduce the amount of fat that you eat every day. While some fat – around 25 to 30 grams per day – is healthy, too much can lead to serious health issues, including cancer.
“High-fat diets can lead to obesity, which has been linked to increased risk of multiple cancers, including breast, colon and prostate,” says Freeman. Making healthier decisions in the grocery store and at restaurants may lead to reduced cancer risk in the long run.
The American Cancer Society also offers the following dietary guidelines to stay healthier and reduce the risk of certain cancers:
• Eat five to nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables. The more colorful the variety, the better.
• Eat high-fiber foods, such as whole grains and beans.
• Include a wide variety of foods in your diet, but eat them in moderation.
• Limit alcohol intake. Excessive alcohol use can lead to increased risk for liver, rectal, esophageal and other cancers.
Get Moving
Nearly one-third of annual cancer deaths in the United States can be attributed to diet and physical activity habits. So while eating well is certainly beneficial in reducing your risk, regular exercise is just as important. In order to get the most cancer-fighting benefit out of your exercise routine, at least 30 minutes of intentional exercise at least five days a week is recommended.
However, if the word “exercise” makes you cringe at the very thought of it, Freeman suggests that you think outside the box. “Many people do not associate exercise with fun. But there are many ways to get in the recommended 30 to 60 minutes and still enjoy it,” says Freeman. “Exercise doesn’t necessarily mean being stuck on a treadmill. Consider trying a team sport, joining a dance class or taking daily walks with a friend.”
Kick The Habit
It’s been said time and time again: don’t smoke. But it has been said for good reason, especially when it comes to reducing cancer risk. Tobacco use is one of the most significant risk factors that people can reduce.
“Smoking causes the most preventable deaths in the United States,” says Freeman. Quitting tobacco use decreases the chances of lung, mouth, esophageal and cervical cancers, among many others. While quitting isn’t easy, for both cancer prevention and your health in general, it is one of the best health decisions a person can make.
If you’re having trouble kicking the habit, Freeman suggests talking to your doctor. Together, you can come-up with the plan that will work best for you.
Practice Safe Sun
Not only is skin cancer one of the most common forms of cancer, it’s also one of the most preventable. In order to reduce your risk of becoming one of the over one million Americans diagnosed each year, Freeman offers some easy preventative measures.
“The best way to prevent skin cancer is by avoiding ultraviolet radiation, especially during the middle of the day,” says Freeman. “The sun is the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so if you have to be outside then, make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and reapply it often.”
Freeman also urges that tanning beds be avoided completely and that, when outside, stay in the shade as much as possible.
Find It Early
While many lifestyle changes can be made to greatly reduce cancer risk, one of the most important cancer prevention steps one can take is cancer screening. Screening tests not only detect cancer in its early stages; many of them, such as those for skin and cervical cancer, can find abnormal cellular changes before they become cancerous.
“When it comes to cancer prevention, it’s so important to take early detection seriously,” says Freeman. “It could, quite literally, save your life.”
About CyberKnife Centers of Tampa Bay
CyberKnife Centers of Tampa Bay was founded in 2008 when a group of radiation oncologists with extensive backgrounds and a combined 45 years of radiosurgical experience, opened the first CyberKnife Center in Tampa Bay, located on the campus of Town and Country Hospital. Drawing on their experience with CyberKnife in centers in Miami, Palm Beach and Naples and their expertise with other forms of radiosurgery, the group introduced this exciting new technology to central Florida.
CyberKnife Centers of Tampa Bay is owned and operated by Tampa Bay Radiosurgery Associates, LLC. With two freestanding facilities located in Tampa and Brandon, the staff at the outpatient centers is dedicated to providing image-guided radiosurgical treatments while understanding and upholding a standard of comfort for patients undergoing treatment. For More information call 813-884-7400 (Tampa) or 855-870-8276 (Brandon), or visit www.CyberKnifeTampaBay.com.
