How You Can Get Proactive With Cancer Prevention And Detection

This is a partnered post.

If there is one health issue that we are all scared of, it is cancer. We know that a different illness has been occupying the headlines over the last couple of years, but just because there has been something else to worry about, does not mean that everything else has gone away. There are many different forms of cancer, many different reasons why you may develop it, and the fact is that many of us will have to deal with one form of cancer or another during our lifetimes.

However, as scary as cancer is, there are positive, proactive steps that you can take. It can be easy to think of cancer as a terrifying force that we cannot do anything about. While it may be true that there is no one foolproof way that you can protect yourself from getting it, there are things that you can do to improve your chances, and there are things that you can do to greatly improve your odds if you do get it. Here are a few things that you need to know and a few steps that you should consider taking.

Stop Smoking
Let’s start with the big, obvious point, shall we? Over the last several years, we have learned more and more about the huge range of different reasons why smoking is bad for you. Smoking is a major factor in so many different illnesses, and it will almost certainly worsen any existing health conditions that you have. If you are still a smoker, you need to seriously consider the damage that you are doing to your body daily. When it comes to cancer risk factors, they do not come much bigger than smoking.

Look At Your Diet
There is a lot of talk out there about how different foods can reduce your risk of contracting cancer, and while the effectiveness of these superfoods may be up for debate (they are healthy but may not stop you from getting cancer), there are some foods that you should think about cutting down on, such as processed and red meats, which have been linked to bowel cancer. Eating high-fiber foods, on the other hand, can help to reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer. It is important to note that obesity has been linked to cancer, so cutting down on high sugar, high salt, and high-fat foods will help to reduce your risk. Alcohol is also a big red flag for anyone who is at a pre-existing risk of cancer.

Get Regular Checks
As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to a wide range of different health issues, and cancer is one of them. However, if you spot cancer warning signs or signs that a cancerous growth has developed early enough, you could stand a good chance of beating it and making a full recovery. Now, it goes without saying that your chances of detecting cancer early are vastly improved by going for regular check-ups. If you know that you have a family history of cancer, then you may already be getting scheduled check-ups, but this is something that everyone should consider. A full-body MRI is a comprehensive scan of your body that will check the areas where cancer may develop. This full body scan service from Ezra is a great example of a regular check that is available. The team at Ezra will break down your results with you and explain what you should do next.

Get Warning Signs Checked Immediately
There are many different warning signs of cancer that you should be aware of, and you should call your doctor as soon as possible if you notice them. Any unusual lumps or bumps should be checked out, as should any new moles as they could be a symptom of skin cancer. You should also call your doctor if a mole has changed shape or has risen up in a bump. If you are feeling lethargic, experiencing night sweats or fever, feeling a new pain that does not go away, or have a bad cough that won’t disappear, then talk to your physician. Urgent warning signs include blood in your stool or pain when you urinate.

Talk To Your Doctor If You Are Worried
There is nothing worse than worrying about your health alone, especially with an illness as serious as cancer. These are the kind of fears that can keep us up at night and can spiral from “I should have that checked out” to something more frantic. If you have any concerns at all, then reach out to your doctor and ask to schedule a call. They will be able to explain in detail about what kind of risks you could be facing, and what changes to your lifestyle you may need to make specifically.