Cancer incidence in the European region is growing – the total number of new cancer cases diagnosed in 2012 were $ 3.7 million; it is expected that by 2030 their number will increase by 25% to 4.6 million cases. This increase is the result of both the aging population and other factors, such as tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity, increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity, exposure to carcinogens in the production or the environment (e.g., asbestos, benzene, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation and radon in the natural environment), as well as the causative agents of certain infections (e.g., hepatitis b virus, Helicobacter pylori and human papilloma virus).
There are many factors of cancer, writes newsyou.info. Genetics is an important factor because it has been found that cancer is inherited. Each type of cancer has its own risk factor, but a healthy lifestyle will reduce the risk of cancer.
The who international Agency for research on cancer (IARC) has published a new edition of the European code against cancer.
How to reduce the risk of cancer
1. Do not smoke. Do not use any form of tobacco products.
2. Make your home free from tobacco smoke. Encourage measures to create a smokeless environment in the workplace.
3. Take steps to maintain a healthy body weight.
4. Be physically active in everyday life. Limit the amount of time that you spend in a sitting position.
5. Follow a healthy diet: consume food a large number of whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits. Limit consumption of high-calorie foods (high in sugar or fat) and avoid drinking sweetened drinks. Avoid eating meat products subjected to technological processing, and foods with a high salt content.
6. If you drink any alcoholic beverages, limit their consumption.
Complete rejection of alcohol consumption can prevent the development of cancer.
7. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight, especially children. Use protection from the sun. Do not use tanning beds.
8. In the workplace, protect yourself from exposure to cancer-causing substances, following safety rules and hygiene of labour.
9. Find out whether you the effects of radiation exposure due to high levels of natural radon radiation in residential area. Take action to reduce high radon levels.
10. For women:
If you have the opportunity, feed your baby breast. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of developing cancer in the mother.
Limit the use of hormone replacement therapy, which increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
11. Make sure to have your children immunized against:
Hepatitis b (for newborns).
The human papilloma virus (for girls).
12. Use the services of organized screening programmes for RAto:
Bowel cancer (men and women).
Breast cancer (women).
Cervical cancer (women).
The European code against cancer has been prepared by experts, scientists and other experts in the field of Oncology, to raise awareness among European citizens about effective ways to prevent cancer.
