4 important steps to prevent cancer

Healthy lifestyle, which can prevent many types of cancer, doesn’’t include only healthy diet and non-smoking. Here are some other things you can do to prevent cancer:

1. Use a sunscreen: Excess sun exposure is directly linked to certain types of skin cancer. Hence, it is sensible to protect yourself from UV rays. By restricting sun exposure and wearing protective clothes, sunglasses, being in the shade when out in the sun can reduce your risk.

2. Get vaccinated: There are certain cancers that are preventable by vaccination. For e.g. Hepatitis B – Vaccination has reduced the incidence of chronic liver disease and liver cancers. It is now a part of Government Immunisation Programme. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is directly linked to the development of cancer of the cervix, and head and neck cancers in males. So visit your doctor for advice on vaccination.

3. Have safe sex: You can get certain cancers from the unprotected and unsafe sexual activities. There is an increased rate of cancer of the cervix in people who have multiple sexual partners. It also exposes you to infections like HIV and Hepatitis C, which can cause other cancers. Adopting safe sexual practices to reduce your risk of cancer.

4. Go for regular health check-ups: Regular health check-ups can detect cancer early. For e.g. Pap smear testing yearly beyond age 40 and yearly mammogram have reduced mortality rate die to cancer of cervix and breast in women.

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