4 Tips To Prevent Cancer Risks, Avoid Sweet Foods To Regular Sports

Illustration of healthy food (Freepic)

JAKARTA - There are many effective steps in preventing the risk of cancer that are also beneficial for health as a whole.

Dr. Anton Bilchik, an oncologist based in California, United States, recommends a healthy diet by increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables to reduce the risk of cancer.

A number of studies have shown that ultra-process foods are related to increasing the risk of cancer and various other health problems. This type of food usually has a long shelf life and contains additional ingredients such as dyes, sweeteners, flavors, or recurrences that are rarely found in traditional foods.

In addition to maintaining a diet, routine physical activity is also important to maintain mental and physical health. Dr. Bilchik explains that prolonged stress and sleep disorders can weaken the immune system and disrupt the body's microbiome balance, which has the potential to increase the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), physically active adults tend to have lower risk of developing several types of cancer, such as breast cancer, colon, endometrium, lung and stomach.

This is one of the reasons physical activity is a priority for Dr. Christine Teal, a professor of surgical madya and director of the Breast Care Center at George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates.

Exercise regularly four times a week, focusing on exercises involving large muscles such as legs, stomach, and buttocks. These activities are not only beneficial for bone health, but also help increase the body's metabolism.

In addition, maintaining ideal weight also plays an important role in preventing cancer. Dr. Jack Jacoub, a medical oncologist and director of the MemorialCare Cancer Institute in Orange County, California, explains that obesity is closely related to the development of several types of cancer.

"I always try to maintain BMI (body mass index) in a healthy range through exercise and adjusting my diet," he said.