Cancer and How It Effects the Body - Cancer Links - 1/1/2003 - Health Asbestos Asbestosis Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

On the basis of recent statistics, one out of two men and one out of three women in the United States will develop some type of cancer during their lifetime; this year, approximately 1,368,030 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer. Despite the dismal statistics, the news about cancer is not all bad. Most cancers are preventable if people adopt healthy life-styles. Avoiding cigarette smoke and tobacco in any form is the most important action anyone can take to avoid cancer, especially lung and pancreatic cancers, which are most often incurable. Cigarette smoke is estimated to be the primary cause in the development of at least 30% of all cancers.

A healthy diet that includes low levels of animal fat and high levels of fresh fruits, vegetables, and fiber from grains will also markedly reduce the risk of cancer. Avoiding as much as possible ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunshine is essential to prevent skin cancer later in life. Finally, knowing what chemicals in the environment are cancer-causing can help you avoid dangerous substances. Overall, if everything known about cancer prevention were practiced by everyone, up to two-thirds of all cancers could be prevented (American Cancer Society, 1997).

Another positive note is that about half of all cancer patients can be cured if their cancer is detected at an early stage before cancer cells have spread. Being “cured” of cancer means that a person’s life expectancy is the same as for a person who never had cancer. It is important to have cancer screening tests as indicated for your age and risk group; tests for the early detection of breast, colon, prostate, and cervical cancers are recommended by the American Cancer Society. You should also watch for early warning signs in functions of the body that may indicate that a cancer is developing.