How To Prevent Cancer

I remember a patient who was a 47-year old female in good health. On a boating outing with family she dived out of the boat for a refreshing swim.

She was only about fifteen feet away when she appeared to be in trouble. Her family rowed the boat to her and pulled her inside. She was short of breath and dizzy. They quickly took her to any emergency hospital.

After doing x-rays and other tests, a doctor came and sat down with the family. She had inoperable cancer in both lungs. No, she was not a smoker. The cancer had spread from the endometrious or lining of the uterus. Her family was devastated by this shock.

Later, the patient was actually too ashamed to tell her family that she had ignored her health and the minor symptoms she had been feeling over a long period of time. She denied any knowledge of this condition. Within a year she died.

Another woman in her 40’s ignored her dark reddish-yellow, concentrated urine for a long period of time. She was a nurse and convinced various doctors to give her a prescription for antibiotics. She thought it was just a urinary tract infection. I don’t know her full history but I worked with her briefly before she died of bladder cancer.

Early screening can prevent cancer; but you must be proactive and ask your healthcare provider for recommended screening tests available. Report any unusual signs and symptoms to your doctor.

So, how to prevent cancer?

Cancer prevention means:

• No smoking and avoid second-hand smoke.

• Get your regular pap tests and mammograms

• Beware of HPV (humanpapillavirus) – safe sex only

• Find out if you are exposed to dangerous chemicals at work – discuss with your employer about limiting exposure

• Do you know your family history of cancer?

• Weight loss and exercise

• For women, one alcoholic drink daily is too much

• Avoid smoked, cured, highly salted fish and meats; and pickled veggies

• Eat lots of fruits and veggies

• Protect your skin from the sun

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