Is Cancer Prevention Elementary?

Well, we might say that the desire to stop smoking is elementary too. Actually stopping is a whole other matter. But is cancer prevention really that difficult? It is now estimated that 90% of lung cancer cases in America are related to smoking. But as you may well know, smoking and lung cancer aren't where the ball stops rolling. Cancer is much more versatile, and it always seems to find a way. By now there are probably few people on Earth who haven't in some way, directly or indirectly, been effected by cancer. How can we work to further progress in the area of cancer prevention?

Well, we can start by never buying a cigarette, or tobacco product, again. Sorry tobacco industry. They may say that tobacco is harmless, but really, they make billions a year off of cigarettes! This article estimates that the 4 billion dollars is spent on tobacco advertising a year. If they're spending that much on advertising alone, I'd hate to see how much they're actually making.

It's a proven fact that if you put an alien substance in your body, there is going to be an effect. Food and drink sustains us. So far tobacco hasn't proven to provide any health benefits, so it must be harmful, right? Tobacco won't only affect your lungs, but also your esophagus, mouth, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and stomach. Now I can't imagine a person actually sustaining life while dealing with all those problems at once. So there's a worth while a reason to champion the cause of cancer prevention right there!

Eating healthy, of course, can help us prevent a variety of health problems. Apparently nutrition is related to 30% of all cancers. That's more serious than I thought. Just being obese is a risk. Well, in favor of cancer prevention, we are urged to get plenty of exercise, even if it is just raking the leaves in your front yard. Of course, part of preventing obesity is eating healthy. Consuming a fair amount of fruits and vegetables can help with this. Also, avoiding too much salt, sugar, and excess alcohol.

We already know that too much of those things are bad for us, but reminders never hurt. What about the sun? I read here that no tan is a healthy tan. They may look nice, but is looking good really worth the risk? Skin cancer is among the most common types. This tells me one thing. Even when using sunscreen, we should only stay out in the sun for limited amounts of time. Sitting idle so the rays can soak in is just asking for trouble. Besides, I never saw a tan that made an ugly person beautiful.

Radiation from the sun is said to reach its peak from 10AM to 4 PM. Those are the most dangerous hours of the day. This doesn't mean that we have to stay in the house, or wear sunscreen ever time we open the door to prevent cancer. Covering ourselves with light colored, loose fitting, clothing is adequate protection. We can still be comfortable without inviting the sun to hit us with its cancer ray. Also, never underestimate the benefits of shade. Not only is it more comfortable than spots where shade is absent, but it also protects us from ultra violet rays.

Most of us have been directly or indirectly affected by cancer, but future generations don't have to be. I'm not saying that cancer will completely disappear, but with a little discretion, it can be reduced.