A report by the Geneva-based International Union Against Cancer (UICC) said that 40% of the 12 million people diagnosed with cancer worldwide each year could avert the killer disease by protecting themselves against infections and changing their lifestyles. Education about lifestyle is key to prevention. Making simple lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, eating healthy foods, reducing sun exposure and limiting alcohol intake can make a huge impact.
The UICC also said that in combination with lifestyle changes, vaccinations provided protection against two types of cancers in particular, cervical and liver. These two types of cancers in particular are caused by infections- human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, and hepatitis B, which causes liver disease and cancer. Vaccinations should be discussed with your health care practitioner.
It really is amazing to me that every year millions, if not billions of dollars are spent on cancer research, and that for many cancers, we know the cause… yet we aren’t using this knowledge for prevention. We have to be more proactive about our health, focus on staying healthy now, and avoiding the things that are known to cause cancer.
