Cancer; a burning desire to reduce risk

When it comes to cancer risk factors; ALL RISK FACTORS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL. Someone may have several risk factors but remain perfectly fine while another may have only one or none yet end up with breast cancer or other cancers.

We cannot say with certainty that we can do all it takes to prevent cancer BUT we can do a lot to reduce our risk.

TEN (10) TIPS TO CANCER RISK REDUCTION

1. Weight Control – being overweight or obese increases risk to SEVERAL cancers.
2. Smoking – cigarette smoking predisposes one to several cancers including lung cancer. Other forms of air pollutants serve as risks too.
3. Alcohol – limit intake or avoid. It has the power to expose one to several cancers as well especially when we can’t apply brakes to how much we consume.
4. Healthy Eating
   1. Limit intake of processed food and sugar
   2. Limit intake of red meat
   3. Fruits and vegetables should be a mainstay of our diet.
   4. An antioxidant rich food like cocoa should be part of our food. The purer the cocoa, the better
   5. Fibre in your food is crucial.
5. Exercise – on its own reduces risk for breast and colon cancers directly and many others through weight control.
   1. Also increases immunity.
6. Cancer Screening – be regular so cancers can be detected early and managed aggressively.
7. Vaccinations – take vaccines where needed e.g. Hep B vaccine or vaccine against HPV (human papilloma virus accounts for the majority of cervical cancers)
8. Know your Family History
   1. Anyone in your family with a cancer? Necessary to be on your guard but also remember that you may be the first person in your family with a particular cancer.
   2. Start your family early and breast feed for as long as possible to reduce risk of breast cancer.
9. Check exposure to Ultraviolet Light and other forms of radiation. Protect your skin.
10. Practice SAFE SEX
    1. HPV infection leading to cervical cancer is commoner when one is exposed to sex early, directly or indirectly has multiple partners but NOT everyone follows this rule. As in many situations, outliers do exist.
    2. Conditions such as HIV/AIDS may suppress your immune system if not managed appropriately.

Do add two (2) others of your choice and send to me via email. Together we can protect ourselves.

Will treating H. Pylori infections be a game changer too?

ALWAYS remember that CANCER PREVENTION HAS NO QUICK FIX – we need to follow these points over and over.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd/ Medics Clinic

(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)

*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’

Thought for the week – “WHERE YOU LIVE SHOULD NOT DETERMINE IF YOU LIVE.”- WHO

By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel