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Lifestyle changes could prevent cancer

The phrase "you are what you eat" is well known. But what you eat, drink and do in your everyday life could help to reduce your risk of developing cancer.

More than one in three people will develop cancer during their lifetime. In the UK alone, 285,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, with nearly 155,000 fatalities. Research now suggests that a third of all cancers could be prevented by changes in diet and lifestyle, which experts say amounts to 95,000 people a year*.

Many people may be unaware that there are more than 200 different types of cancer, with breast, stomach, large bowel and prostate cancer accounting for more than half of all new cases.

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) carried out the largest ever study into lifestyle and cancer**, which has estimated that diet can affect the risk of some cancers, including stomach, bowel and mouth cancers.

This research suggests that the risk could be reduced by eating a healthy diet that is high in fibre, fruit and vegetables, and low in red and processed meat and saturated fat.

Alcohol intake could be increasing the risk of cancers of the mouth, voice box, food pipe, liver and breast. But drinking less than two units of alcohol a day may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Physical exercise and keeping fit play a big part in maintaining a healthy body weight and could reduce the risk of several cancers, including breast, bowel and kidney. The Government acknowledges this and recommends performing 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking and swimming) at least five days a week, which should be built into a regular routine.

Unfortunately, only 37 per cent of men and 25 per cent of women are currently achieving this***.

But it is not only diet and exercise that can influence a healthy lifestyle. Taking extra care in the sun and stopping smoking are also likely to lower the risk of cancer. Sadly, half of all regular smokers die from smoking related illnesses, with around 90 per cent of lung cancer cases caused by smoking tobacco.

Cancer Research UK believes that health screening shows unusual changes early, making cancer treatment simpler and more effective, saving more lives.

Westfield Health believes in the importance of promoting health and well-being and offers health cash plans that provide a range of healthcare benefits for policyholders and their families. Health cash plans may include dental and optical benefits and also offer health screening.

Some of Westfield’s plans offer a health information site, which includes an A to Z guide of medical conditions and advice for good diet and nutrition, and special deals at selected UK health and fitness clubs.

References

* http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-565831/Change-lifestyle-cut-cancer-risk-say-experts.html

** Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective. First published in 2007 by the American Institute for Cancer Research.

*** Cancer Research UK. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/ Cancer Research UK is the leading charity dedicated to research on the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer.

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