Simple Ways to Avoid the Deadliest Cancer, Say Doctors

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, after heart disease and while no cancer is 100 percent avoidable, there are ways to help lower your chances. Age and family history are factors you can't change, but Yevgeniy Skaradinskiy, DO, medical oncology/hematology at Staten Island University Hospital tells us, "Certain lifestyle choices increase risks of cancer, consider smoking cessation, weight loss, change of eating habits, choice of food/schedule of eating, and exercises. These are options associated with reducing your risk."  Eat This, Not That Health spoke with experts who share tips on staying healthy longer and ways to help avoid cancer. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Skaradinskiy says, "Screening is an important factor for some cancers. The best way to prevent cancer is by going for screenings, such as mammograms, GI endoscopy, and PAP smears. Cancer is more treatable because more screenings and awareness is available. Now tumors can be found at earlier stages and targetable mutations in tumors can be addressed with more available medications."  

Nima Majlesi, DO, Director of Medical Toxicology at Staten Island University Hospital explains, "Vitamin D has gained a lot of recent notoriety and attention in discussions of overall health.  The functions of Vitamin D are complex and appear to be more wide reaching than the commonly known benefits for bone and teeth. The role of Vitamin D in bone and musculoskeletal health is unquestionable.  However, it appears to potentially have a role in maintenance of glucose homeostasis, cardiovascular morbidity, autoimmunity, inflammation, and cancer. The Vitamin D Council — a scientist-led group promoting vitamin D deficiency awareness — suggests vitamin D treatment might be found helpful in treating or preventing autism, autoimmune disease, cancer, chronic pain, depression, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, flu, and neuromuscular diseases."  

Mariette Y. Amadi, MD, Associate Chair of Medicine at Staten Island University Hospital  says, "Smoking is proven to increase medical comorbidity associated with smoking like Chronic obstructive lung disease- which is an irreversible lung disease and/or lung cancer.  Yes, they can still quit smoking because it may slow down the progression of the disease." 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Dr. Amadi states, "Alcohol dependence can lead to poor quality of life which can lead to lack of compliance to medical care. Multiple medical conditions like liver disease, and pancreatic disease that could occur with alcohol and if not taken care of may cause death."  

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends the following, "According to the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025," U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture, adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women, when alcohol is consumed. Drinking less is better for health than drinking more."

According to Dr. Amadi, "Unhealthy diets filled with too many carbs, salt and fat can cause multiple comorbid conditions like high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, and diabetes mellitus type 2, which can increase further damage to the body. Your primary doctor can refer them to visit with a dietician for dietary education, they can exercise every other day or daily and have checkups with their primary doctors."