Cancer Prevention

Many of us would agree that the root of all disease is stress. Our emotions often affect the choices we make in our daily lives, even when we know that there are negative and often harmful consequences of taking those actions. We warn our children about the dangers of habitual smoking, drinking, taking drugs and risky sexual behavior. How often do we practice what we preach?

Many mothers, daughters, sisters and friends succumb each year to some form of cancer. At Wonder Women we hold great respect for all non-profits that make the eradication of this disease part of their mission and we encourage you to keep supporting these organizations, helping to save lives. The Gerson Institute and American Cancer Society offer very different but invaluable life saving information that you may be unfamiliar with and might appreciate knowing about.

Below are some every day disease prevention basics to keep top of mind:

  1. Avoid regular usage of tobacco (smoking, chewing) and second hand smoke.If you choose to drink alcohol. Do so in moderation and know your family medical history.
  2. If you or someone you know think that you might have an alcohol or drug problem. Do not dismiss this red flag and do realize that your choice in friends can influence many habits (both good and bad).
  3. Practice healthy eating habits by drinking plenty of water, consuming lots of fruits and vegetables and limiting your fat intake. Avoid eating whiles working and enjoy the experience of eating.
  4. Try to practice healthy sleeping habits as prolonged sleep deprivation can lead to disease due to the body inability to replenish and recharge itself.
  5. Maintain a healthy weight by including some form of physical activity in your daily routine. Any activity is better than none – do not procrastinate.
  6. Be sensible about prolonged sun exposure, especially at mid day and use plenty of sun screen when appropriate. Tanning beds and sunlamps have been known to be as harmful as natural sunlight.
  7. Traditional medical institutions like the American Cancer Society suggest that you consider talking to your doctor about getting immunized against Hepatitis B and if you are 26 or younger (both women and men) be concerned about the sexually transmitted virus HPV that can lead to cervical cancer.
  8. Practice Safe Sex by limiting your sexual partners, being responsible about using protection. People who contract HPV or HIV have a much higher risk of cancer of the cervix, anus, lung and immune system
  9. Performing regular self exams as well as professional screenings can detect many forms of cancer.
  10. General indicators of an underlying health concern are unexplained weight loss over the last six months, shortness of breath, persistent or high fever, unexplained changes in bowel habits, regular confusion or personality changes, consistently feeling bloated after eating very little.Flashes of light and regular migraines can be more than just a bad headache….