Cancer Risk: Factors & Five Superfoods to Beat It

Despite the advancement in the medical field, cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases, considering the impact it leaves behind. While most of us believe that the risk of having cancer majorly depends on our genetics, that is not the case. One of the key cancer risk factors is our dietary habits, among other things.

Major Cancer Risk Factors

There are a lot of factors that can cause the risk of having cancer. The major ones are discussed below.

Age

Though cancer can occur at any age, the risk increases as you grow older. According to statistics from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program at NCI, the median age for cancer diagnosis is 66. One-quarter of all new cancer cases are diagnosed in people aged between 65 and 74.

Alcohol

You can develop cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, larynx, liver, or breast if you consume alcohol. If you drink alcohol and use tobacco products, you have a much higher cancer risk. Medical experts advise moderate consumption of alcohol to avoid developing cancers.

Cancer-Causing Substances

Aflatoxins, benzene, beryllium, coal tar, coke-oven emissions, ethylene oxide, hexavalent chromium compounds, emissions from combustion of coal, untreated and mildly treated mineral oils, radon, second-hand tobacco smoke, sulphuric acid, thorium, vinyl chloride, and wood dust are the most likely carcinogens that affect humans. High levels of exposure over long periods of time, along with a hereditary predisposition to cancer, can result in cancer.

Radiation

Being exposed to radiation of certain wavelengths can damage your DNA, leading to the development of cancer cells in your body. High energy radiations such as radon, x-rays, and gamma rays are the riskiest forms of radiation.

Hormones

Hormones are essential to the proper functioning of our bodies. However, hormones such as oestrogen are considered being cancer-causing ones. Prolonged hormone therapies are associated with chances of higher cancer risk.

Besides these, some other cancer risk factors are unhealthy diets, immunosuppression, infectious agents, obesity and so on.

Superfoods That Lower Cancer Risk

Healthy eating habits play a vital role in keeping you healthy and fit. Here's a list of five superfoods that help in lowering the risk of having cancer.

Super Stinky but Super Healthy: Garlic

Sulphur compounds present in garlic cause stinky breath. However, these compounds speed DNA repair and stop the formation of cancerous substances.

According to the World Health Organisation, adults should consume about one clove of garlic per day to maintain good health. For best results, peel and chop the cloves and let them sit for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking to activate enzymes and release sulphur-containing compounds.

Powerhouse of Phytochemical: Broccoli

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage contain glucosinolate, the phytochemical which produces and activates protective enzymes in your body.

Prostate Cancer Antioxidants: Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain an exorbitant amount of the powerful antioxidant, lycopene, which reduces the risk of having cancer.

Who knew pizzas had the potential to fight cancer? That's right, processed tomatoes in pizza sauce contain cancer-fighting substances.

Package of Nutrients: Carrots

Beta-carotene, falcarinol, and other antioxidants are present in abundance in carrots. These are known to help in preventing cell damage due to toxins and reduce the rate of growth of cancer cells.

The best way to cook carrots is to leave them uncut while steaming or boiling, as it reduces the loss of essential nutrients.

Abundance of Carotenoids: Spinach

Leafy vegetables, mainly spinach, contain carotenoids that destroy cancer cells before they cause damage to your body.

The best way to include spinach in your diet is to add it raw in your soups and salads.

Strawberries, watermelon and whole grains are some other superfoods you may want to add to your diet to avoid cancer.

Tips to Cover yourself from Cancer Risk

Dealing with a critical illness such as cancer could be draining physically, emotionally and financially. Here are a few tips to cover yourself from cancer risk.

Invest in Yourself

You need to eat the right food and maintain a balanced, healthy diet that is rich in antioxidants and other vital nutrients.

If you're in a stressful environment, look for ways to reduce stress.

Daily exercise should be a part of your routine to stay fit.

You may want to take a look at The Health Coach benefit in Niva Bupa's Health Companion. This will assist you with healthy diets and help you achieve your daily health goals.

Invest in a Health insurance

The best health insurance highlights the benefits, offers a policy to suit your needs at a reasonable premium, and settles your claims quickly.

Look for health insurance that covers critical illness insurance, pre- & post-hospitalisation expenses, and meets your expectations and invests in it.

The Bottom Line

A critical chronic illness can cost you much more than money. A healthy lifestyle and insurance that would help you get the right treatment along with financial assistance, if need be, are must-haves to beat cancer. You may check out NivaBupa health insurance plans.