Dodging Cancer

Cancer is one of the biggest killers on earth.  It is basically cells gone bad and start to spread.

Many factors, including air pollution, taking too much unhealthy food, charred BBQ food, smoking (including second-hand smoke), produce free radicals in our body.  These free radicals are unstable unpaired electrons. As such, they like to attach themselves to our cells in order to achieve stability, thus affecting our healthy cells.  To neutralise free radicals, we need anti-oxidants, which are found commonly in fruits and vegetable.  Some common cancers are listed below.

Pancreatic / Colorectal Cancer

The World Health Organisation released a report in 2015, stating studies that found the relationship between red meat consumption and pancreatic/colorectal cancer.  Pancreatic cancer is sometimes known as the king of cancer, because of the high mortality rate.  The occurrence is even higher for those who consume a lot of red meat and drink/smoke.

Processed meats (luncheon meat, sausage, ham) are worse, as they are usually stripped of nutrients but loaded with salt and preservatives.

Patients with pancreatic cancer are likely to develop diabetes as well, because the pancreas is the organ that produces insulin.

One other contributing factor to colorectal cancer is a low-fibre diet.  In simple terms, fibre (from fruits and vegetable) helps keep the colon and rectum in good condition.

Lung / Throat Cancer

Smoking or inhaling second-hand smoke (exhausts from smokers near us) is the main cause of lung and throat cancer (nearly 9 out of 10 cases).  This is due to the chemicals from the cigarette smoke harming our body's detox system. 

Skin (Melanoma) Cancer

Mainly due to over exposure to the sun (UV radiation).  The damage from the radiation is cumulative.  Although the body can repair damaged skin cells, it cannot repair all.  The unrepaired cells build up over time and triggers mutation leading to cancer.

 

To summarise, in order to reduce the chances of getting cancer, we should:

• eat fruits and vegetable daily (for the vitamins, anti-oxidants, and fiber);
• not smoke cigarette;
• not drink too much alcohol;
• stay clear of people who are smoking; 
• reduce the intake of red meat, processed and fried food;
• not stay in the sun frequently, for prolonged period;
• exercise regularly (to build up resistance);
• not get stressed up easily (stress reduces the body's resistance).