Alcohol, tobacco, and high intake of nutritional supplements are factors that increase the risk of cancer.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), potential risk factors of lifestyle, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, not eating enough fruits and vegetables, being overweight and inactive, account for 30-40% of cancer diagnoses.
Here are some habits you should stop to reduce your risk of cancer and increase your chances of living a long and healthy life.
◆ Use of sunscreen
Moderate sun exposure can be a great way to get more vitamin D. But too direct exposure can lead to some types of skin cancer.
“You should wear sunscreen on all exposed skin, even if you’re wearing a hat,” Laura Purdy, board certified family physician in Fort Benning, Georgia, told Best Life. “Wear long sleeves or wear sunscreen with an index of at least 30. You have to use it,” he said. Failure to protect your skin from UV rays can increase your risk of cancer later in life.”
Bridget Koontz, a radiation oncologist at Genesis Care, explains that exposure to UV rays can cause premature aging even in the cold months. So, regardless of age or skin color, everyone should protect themselves from the sun.
◆ Eating too many nutrients
“Eating a lot of calcium may increase the risk of prostate cancer.” says Mr Purdy.
According to a 24-year study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, daily intake of more than 2,000 milligrams of calcium may increase the risk of prostate cancer and other fatal forms of the disease.
A meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in 2019 found that vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
High calcium intake may increase the risk of prostate cancer.
But Purdy noted that many of these claims require further research to determine their accuracy. It’s important to decide how much supplement you’re taking to make sure you’re not consuming too much or too little of the nutrients.
It’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before starting a new nutritional supplement.
◆ Smoking
Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer. This habit is also associated with many other cancers.
“Smoking increases the risk of cancer of the nasopharynx, mouth, esophagus, throat, urinary system, kidneys, and most of the digestive tract, including the liver, stomach, and pancreas. It can even increase the risk of leukemia,” he said. Purdy warns.
The expert also said that tobacco use in any form, whether smoked or chewed, significantly increases the risk of various cancers.
Dr. Koontz believes that smoking can reduce the body’s ability to fight cancer. Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause cancer and can’t stop your body from fighting cancer. This is because the toxic components present in tobacco weaken the body’s immunity, making it difficult to destroy cancer cells.
◆ crapulence
Drinking more than the recommended amount per week may increase your risk of certain cancers. So, how much alcohol is considered excessive?
According to the National Institute on Alcoholism in the United States, women drink no more than 3 drinks a day and no more than 7 drinks a week. Men drink no more than 4 cups a day and no more than 14 cups a week.
“Alcohol may increase the risk of certain cancers of the mouth, throat and digestive system. Excessive drinking also increases the risk of liver and breast cancer. If you drink alcohol and tobacco at the same time, this risk will increase.” Dr. Purdy warns.