Cancer Prevention
for Human Anatomy
for Worldwide Cancer Prayer Center
for Healthy Breast Program


for Cancer Resource Library
for Major Risk Factors"Cancer is a Word, not a Sentence" - Author Unknown

Exercise regularly; at least 30 minutes per day. Moderate regular exercise reduces your cancer risk at least 30%.
Eat a healthy well-balanced diet; low-fat, high-fiber, little or no red meat, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Quit smoking! or Don't start smoking! Cigarette smoking increases your cancer risk by 30%; is that cigarette really worth dying for?
Limit your use of alcohol, one drink a day has been found to reduce some health risks, including significantly reducing the risk of heart disease; however, even one drink a day may increase the risk of breast cancer by as much as 30%. Smoking combined with alcohol has proven to significantly increase cancer risks for oral cancer, esophageal cancer and other cancers.
Women must maintain regular gynecological examinations to include Pap smears and Mammograms. Women must perform monthly breast self-examinations.
Use sunscreens with a SPF of 15 or higher anytime you're outdoors and avoid being outdoors during the middle of the day.
Practice Safe Sex and always use a condom unless you are in a long-term monogamous relationship!
Warning Signs
There are as many different possible warning signs, as there are different types of cancers. Here are some possible symptoms which are, by no means, a complete listing. Consult your physician anytime you experience any unusual symptoms.
Bladder and Kidney; You may see blood in urine, have pain or burning and increased urination.
Breast; Lump or thickening of lumps, itching, redness or soreness of the nipples which isn't caused by pregnancy, breast feeding, or menstruation.
Cervical, Endometrial and Uterine; Bleeding between menstrual cycles, any unusual discharge, painful menstruation, and heavy periods require consultation with your physician.
Colon; Rectal bleeding, blood in your stool or changes in bowel habits such as persistent diarrhea and/or constipation are warning signs which should be investigated promptly.
Laryngeal; A persistent cough or a hoarse throat are possible signs you may experience.
Leukemia; Paleness, fatigue, weight loss, repeated infections, nosebleeds, bone or joint pain, and easy bruising are possible warning signs of leukemia which should be investigated.
Lung; A persistent cough; sputum with blood; heavy chest and or chest pain.
Lymphoma; Enlarged, rubbery lymph nodes, itchy skin, night sweats, unexplained fever and weight loss indicate possible lymphoma, discuss these symptoms with your physician.
Mouth and Throat; Any chronic ulcer (sore) of the mouth, tongue or throat which doesn't heal or white areas in the mouth should be seen by your physician.
Ovarian; Unfortunately there are often no symptoms until it is in the later stages of development. Some symptoms include pelvic or abdominal pain/discomfort; vague, but persistent gastrointestinal upsets; frequency and/or urgency of urination; changes in bowel habits; weight gain or weight loss, particularly weight gain in the abdominal region; pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness.
Pancreas; There usually are no symptoms until it has progressed to the later stages when you may notice jaundiced skin and there may be pain deep in the stomach or back.
Prostrate; Difficulty and/or pain in passing urine or passing urine more often than usual, especially at night; blood in the urine.
Skin; If you have moles that change color, size, or appearance, or flat sores (lesions that look like moles), a tumor or lump under the skin that resembles a wart or an ulceration that never heals, these are symptoms which should bring you quickly to your physician's office.
Stomach; Vomiting blood or experiencing frequent indigestion and pain after eating, weight loss may indicate stomach cancer. See your physician!
Testicular; One testicle may swell or feel abnormally heavy; a sore that does not heal or a small, painless lump on a testicle. The male breast may enlarge and feel tender.
Cancer deaths are decreasing for the first time since the early 1990's. The rate has decreased with 153,000 people dying from cancer in 1996, compared with about 158,000 earlier this decade, according to a December 31, 1997, Daily Telegraph London report.
Although most of the decrease (about 2/3) can be attributed to less lung cancer in men; womens' lung cancer rate is on the rise, making it more important than ever for women to quit smoking. As well, malignant melanoma (skin cancer) is on the rise; use your sunscreen! Decreased cancer deaths are also due, in large part, to a decrease in breast cancer thanks to early diagnosis and mammography screening.
Cancer prevention is a life-long commitment to a long life of healthy living and it's never too late to start!
© Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention
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10 Steps to Breast Cancer Protection
1. Stay slim. Obesity increases estrogen levels in women and can cause early menarche in young girls. Slim girls tend to menstruate later, offering some protection from breast cancer.
2. Stay active. Physical activity decreases estrogen levels.
3. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies are high in fiber, antioxidant and phytochemicals (beneficial plant chemicals).
4. Eat lots of soy foods including tofu, miso, tempeh, soy milk and soybeans.
5. Replace harmful transfats and hydrogenated fats with protective fats found in flax, extra virgin olive oil and cold water fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, cod and sardines. Remember to use oils like flax and olive unheated.
6. Eat yogurt with live bacterial culture, which is known as acidophilus. Plain yogurt is preferable.
7. Get a little "safe sun" early in the morning or late in the afternoon to help with Vitamin D production. Women with breast cancer have been found to be low in Vitamin D. However, avoid overexposure to sunlight, especially direct sunlight on your face.
8. Sleep in a dark room. A night light or street lights glaring through your bedroom window may decrease natural, protective production of melatonin, a hormone found to be low in women with breast cancer.
9. Drink filtered water to remove chemicals like chlorine and trihalmethanes.
10. Avoid smoking and drinking.
Taking the above 10 steps can help prevent cancer from developing or can help rebuild your body's strength to fight the disease.
© Robin Keuneke
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