• Food
  • Family
  • Beauty & Health
  • Style
  • Great Women
  • Events/Win
  • Food
    • Eating Out
    • Cooking Tips
    • Festive Food
    • Asian Recipes
    • Food
    • Celebrity Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Western Recipes
  • Family
    • Family
    • Save Money
    • Parenting
    • Sex & Marriage
    • Travel
  • Beauty & Health
    • Beauty & Health
    • Skincare
    • Makeup
    • Hair
    • Awards
    • Diet & Nutrition
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
  • Spa Awards 2022
  • Style
  • Great Women
    • Career
    • Great Women of Our Time
    • Real Life
  • Entertainment
  • EVENTS/WIN
  • #SchoolForLife
  • Hair Awards
  • Great Escape
  • Explore Singapore
  • Also available at:
Privacy Menu
SPH Media

Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. All rights reserved.

  • Food
  • Family
  • Beauty & Health
  • Style
  • Great Women
  • Events/Win

Beauty & Health

10 Lifestyle Changes That Help Reduce The Risk Of Cancer

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Wellness

10 Lifestyle Changes That Help Reduce The Risk Of Cancer

The foods you should eat and other easy tips to help prevent cancer before it starts, and keep you and your family healthy

February 4, 2020

Photo: Pexels

It’s no secret cancer is the leading cause of death in Singapore, with the most common cancers being lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and liver cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that without immediate action, the global number of deaths from cancer will increase by nearly 80 per cent by 2030.

It sounds like bad news but we can all work at maintaining healthy lifestyles to help keep cancer at bay. In fact, about half of all cancers can be prevented by making some simple and healthy lifestyle changes. Here are some easy tips to help ward off the disease.

WATCH THIS VIDEO TOO
The Weekly Talks To Three Brave Breast Cancer Survivors

READ NEXT

How To Check For Skin Cancer At Home

“I’m Proof That Cancer Survivors Can Still Lead A Healthy Life”

Real Life: “The Hardest Part About Getting Breast Cancer Was Terminating My Pregnancy”

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/beauty-and-health/wellness/lifestyle-changes-ways-to-reduce-risk-cancer/
10 Lifestyle Changes That Help Reduce The Risk Of Cancer
1. Don't burn your food
image

“Burnt or browned foods like burnt toast and bacon, and barbecued or charred meats are a possible source of carcinogens (a cancer-causing substance),” says nutritionist Zoe Bingley-Pullin. “Cook at slow and low temperatures. If grilling, marinate food in lemon juice and rosemary, which can help to break down the carcinogens.”

Pexels
2. Use sunscreen
image

Singapore has 1,719 cases of skin cancer yearly; with skin cancer ranking sixth in male cancers and seventh in female cancers here. Whether just walking along the streets of Orchard or going to East Coast Park for a beach day, sunscreen is crucial.

Do all you can to shut out harmful UV rays and help prevent cancer, including putting on sunglasses and a hat. And if you’re doing water sports, remember to re-apply sunblock frequently and generously.

Read Next

Why Higher SPF Numbers Don't Really Matter (And What To Look Out For Instead)

123RF
3. Keep the peel
image

Did you know that citrus peel has a similar effect to sunscreen? The University of Arizona completed a study of limonene – a compound that gives lemons, oranges and limes their scent – which was linked to a 34 per cent reduction in skin cancer in their participants.

Limonene also reduces the risk of cancer in general. Put a drop or two of lemon, lime, orange, or tangerine essential oil into water or your favourite juice for an extra wallop of anti-cancer potential and to encourage the elimination of wastes and toxins. Limonene content stimulates white blood cell production, improves the body’s ability to combat infection, and helps to detoxify the liver.

Pexels
4. Cut out cigarettes
image

The moment you quit smoking, the health benefits start to roll in, such as a reduced risk of 12 types of cancers including lung, stomach, liver, prostate, breast, colorectal and cervical. Use resources like the The Health Promotion Board’s Quitline (1800 438 2000) for support to help break the habit.

Pexels
5. Get scrubbing
image

Canadian researchers say active postmenopausal women who got most of their exercise from doing housework reduce their risk of breast cancer by 30 per cent.

Of course, you shouldn’t rely on your housework solely for your daily exercise. You can start with moderately physical activity such as brisk walking 30 minutes three times a week, and raise it to 60 minutes of moderate or 30 minutes of vigorous activity, such as jogging every day.

Read Next

10 Healthy Habits Every Woman Should Have

Pexels
6. An apple a day
image

Start snacking on apples! They’re rich in quercetin, an ingredient with potent antioxidant properties. Plus, they’re a zero point food, so you can have as many as you like without stretching your waistline. Double win!

As a rule of thumb, fruits with a dark red or blue hue have high quercetin content. Raw red onions and capers are also a good source of the antioxidant.

Read Next

You Should Definitely Be Eating More Of These 8 Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Pexels
7. Pay attention to your nails
image

Your nails can often disclose the state of our health, so pay closer attention. Any grey and/or black discolouration of fingernails and toenails may indicate disease. A distorted or elevated nail could also indicate illness, so keep your eye out for those too.

 

Pexels
8. Watch for mould
image

According to nutritionist Zoe, excess mould – found in mould-contaminated foods like peanuts, cheese and bread – is a source of fungal toxins linked to an increased risk of cancer. She recommends buying fresh, sealed and smaller quantities of food to avoid mould growth. Storing your food correctly will also reduce the risk of mould developing.

StockSnap
9. Drink less booze
image

Many people still don’t realise alcohol consumption contributes to cancer risk. The more you drink, the greater the risk. The Ministry of Health recommends that men should consume no more than two standard drinks a day, and women, no more than one – but try and have some alcohol-free days too.

Pexels
10. Get checked
image

Not enough of us check with our doctors about cancer. Experts agree finding cancer early improves your chances of successful treatment and long-term survival. If you are concerned about any unusual symptoms, get them checked as soon as possible.

Read Next

8 Easy At-Home Health Checks That Can Save Your Life

10 Delicious Foods For A Healthy Digestive System

5 Health Benefits Of Eating Soya, Including Reducing Cancer Risk

Text: bauersyndication.com.au

Pexels
  • TAGS:
  • cancer
  • cancer prevention
  • carcinogens
  • healthy living
  • limonene
  • quercetin
  • sunblock
SHARE THIS ON

What’s Hot

Wellness

Do Probiotics For Women Really Work?

Wellness

Dr. TWL Dermaceuticals Founder Dr Teo Wa...

Wellness

7 Ways To Relax During Wellness Festival...

Wellness

Colorectal Cancer: Not Only Is It Preven...

Wellness

8 Simple Health Checks You Can Do At Home

Wellness

So Much Pain She Could Not Stand - But H...

Wellness

5 Late Night Spas To Help You Relax Afte...

Wellness

What Are Pregnancy Food Cravings, And Wh...

Wellness

Could You Or Your Child Have Hearing Los...

Wellness

This Boudoir Photographer Uses His Art T...

Wellness

10 Ways Technology Can Benefit Your Ment...

Wellness

12 Best Types Of Therapies For A Happier...

Don’t Miss These
  • Awards The Anti-Ageing Facial That Protects Your Skin From Digit...
  • Awards This is the perfect escape from urban life to relax, rech...
Editor’s Picks
  • Beauty & Health 8 Most Therapeutic And Fun Hobbies To Reduce Stress
  • Diet & Nutrition Savour The Deliciousness Of Chocolate While Being Kind To Your Gut
  • Awards Get A Year-Round Beauty Glow & Sun Protection With This Skin Supplement
  • Beauty & Health 6 Things To Know About Chanel's Newest Perfume, Le Lion de Chanel
  • Organising A KonMari Consultant's Hack For Saving Time & Money At Home
  • Beauty & Health If You've Had Covid-19, You Have More Risk of Developing Blood Clots When You...
  • Entertainment Sentosa To Have A Wellness Festival Village, Glamping & More This June
  • Wellness Do Probiotics For Women Really Work?
Don't Miss Out Ever Again!
Tips & tricks to stay sane + win invites to our events!

By signing up, you indicate that you have read and agreed with our Privacy Statement
Footer Menu
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Policy
?>">
SPH Magazine

Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. All rights reserved.