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 can not 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
a. Limit intake of processed food and sugar
b. Limit intake of red meat
c. Fruits and vegetables should be a mainstay of our diet.
d. An antioxidant-rich food like Cocoa should be part of our food. The purer the
cocoa, the better
e. Fibre in your food is crucial.
Read: Eat your way to a healthy year
5. Exercise – on its own reduces risk for breast and colon cancers directly and many others
through weight control.
a. 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
a. Anyone in 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.
b. 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
a. 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.
b. Conditions such as HIV/AIDS may suppress your immune system if not managed
appropriately.
11.
12.
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
