Chronic Diseases
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Chronic Diseases

Cancer is a major cause of death in developed countries such as the United States. Over twenty percent of all deaths are caused by cancer of some type, although the percentage can be higher at younger ages. It makes sense to try to avoid developing cancer in the first place, especially since the treatments are often only partially effective and frequently almost as unpleasant as the disease itself. After many years of research and spending billions of dollars researchers have still not found what causes cancer.
When it comes to risk factors you can control some of them, but not all of them. Those you can't control can include genetics or family history. The environmental exposures or behaviors that occurred in a person’s past should also be considered when determining risk factors. Those you can control include your current and future behavior, including diet and exercise, and your current and future environmental exposures, Risk factors are not absolutes, having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely get cancer, and avoiding risk factors does not guarantee you will be healthy.
Genetic risk factors include certain mutation of genes that can make cells unstable, therefore a higher chance of getting cancers such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
Diet and exercise can become risk factors for cancer. There are changes a person can make in their life to lessen the risk factors such as getting more exercise. The most obvious change a person can make is join a gym or start an exercise regime. You can incorporate more exercise into your daily life by simply taking the stairs instead of using the elevator, park at the far end of the parking lot instead of looking for the spot nearest the store fronts door. Making changes to one’s diet doesn’t mean “going on a diet” in the traditional since of the word. Try to cut calories by replacing high fat foods with lower fat alternatives. Chose breads with whole grain instead of white bread. You should try to eat five servings of vegetables a day, but you need to eat at least three. That may sound difficult but there are ways to make it easy on you. Put lettuce and tomato on your sandwiches (which are made with whole grain bread), buy only 100% fruit juices. Put healthy snacks and drinks at the front of the refrigerator where they can be easily seen.
Another lifestyle change that needs to be seriously considered is stop smoking and stop or reduce alcohol consumption. There are no health benefits from smoking. If you smoke you need to stop. Stopping now will greatly reduce your risks and start restoring your health almost immediately. There have been studies that show that wine can be healthy for you. This is something that should be considered but done in moderation. When you want something to drink that 100% fruit juice is in the refrigerator waiting for you!