[This article was written by Anne Lawton, BSN, RN, NCTTP. Community Outreach Nurse, Cancer Care Center, St. Peter’s Health Partners]
We’re all conscious of the completely different most cancers consciousness months for numerous cancers, however what number of are conscious that February is Nationwide Most cancers Prevention Month? The American Most cancers Society estimates one in three folks might be identified with most cancers of their lifetime. And whereas making wholesome life type decisions could not stop most cancers, they’ll actually reduce your danger.
Tobacco use is the most typical preventable explanation for a most cancers prognosis and demise. This consists of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chew and cigars. For those who use tobacco, it’s by no means too late to cease. Assist will be discovered along with your main care doctor, by calling the NYS Quitline at 1-NY-QUITS (697-8487), or by calling the St. Peter’s Most cancers Line at 518-525-1827.
Consuming 5 servings of vegatables and fruits a day is a crucial most cancers prevention exercise. Whereas sugar just isn’t a explanation for most cancers and doesn’t trigger most cancers to develop, it does play a big position in weight problems. Selecting wholesome meals and sustaining a wholesome weight are very important as a result of weight problems performs a task in a number of forms of most cancers together with breast, ovarian, endometrial, colon, and prostate.
Get some train. Not solely will it assist stop weight problems, it would additionally enhance your total well being, enhance your temper, and reduce your danger for most cancers.
Alcohol use sparsely is one other most cancers prevention motion. Two or extra alcoholic drinks a day can improve the most cancers danger in males; a number of a day in girls. In keeping with the Nationwide Most cancers Institute, there may be sturdy scientific proof that alcohol consumption may cause a number of forms of most cancers resembling head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal.
Pores and skin most cancers is the most typical sort of most cancers identified. It’s attributable to UV radiation from solar publicity and the usage of tanning beds. Tanned pores and skin just isn’t wholesome pores and skin. From infants to the aged, the usage of sunscreen when outside is significant. Using a broad spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 utilized each two hours whereas outdoors will stop painful sunburns and the potential of pores and skin most cancers in your future.
HPV infections trigger a big proportion of cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers. Defending youngsters with the HPV vaccine is really useful by all main medical professions together with the American Society of Medical Oncology, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, the American Most cancers Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Lastly, take most cancers screenings critically. Screening pointers for most cancers can fluctuate based mostly in your particular person danger and genetic components and ought to be reviewed along with your main care doctor yearly. Early detection of most cancers via common most cancers screenings will increase the survival price and the potential for a remedy.
At St. Peter’s Well being Companions, we take satisfaction in providing a most cancers remedy strategy that’s patient-centered and supported by a multidisciplinary group. When you have questions, please name 518-525-1827.
