The majority of cancers are preventable. Dr. Vikash Sewram, director of Stellenbosch University’s African Cancer Institute gives us six steps you can take now to reduce your risk of cancer.
- Don’t smoke – 33 percent of all cancers are caused by smoking.
- Protect yourself from excessive sunlight – everyone, not only fair-skinned people, should limit their time in the sun and wear sunscreen or cover up if they do go out.
- Limit the use of alcohol – excessive use of alcohol can cause cancer of the mouth, throat, voice box, gullet, liver and breast.
- Follow a healthy diet – eat your fruits and vegetables and limit your fat intake.
- Watch your weight and do regular exercise – being overweight increases your chances of breast, uterus, kidney, colon and prostate cancers and decreases your chance of survival.
- Regular screening – women should have regular pap smear tests every three years from age 21 and mammograms bi-annually after the age of 40 years. Men between the ages of 40 and 75 years old should get their prostates checked.
Read more World Cancer Day coverage from Health-e
- South Africa braces for an increase in cancer cases
- Cancer myth busters: Five common myths – and truths – about cancer
