Cancer Prevention: Essential Strategies for Reducing Risks and Enhancing Overall Health

In Malaysia, cancer is a significant health issue and a leading cause of death. About 48,639 Malaysians in 2020 were affected by this disease, causing 29,530 deaths. The cancer rate is predicted to double by 2040. It is a condition brought on by the uncontrollable growth and spread of abnormal cells, which form rapidly in the body and can affect many organs and tissues.

What causes cancer?

Cancer is often caused by alterations (mutations) to the genes that regulate how our cells work. The DNA within a cell is organized into a sizeable number of distinct genes, each carrying instructions directing the cell's functions, its growth and division.

Cancer-causing genetic alterations can occur because:

• When cells proliferate, mistakes in the instructions might happen, prohibiting a cell from functioning normally and leading to cancer.

• Environmental toxins like those found in cigarette smoke and UV light from the sun can damage DNA.

• They were inherited from their parents.

 

How does cancer start?

Cancer can start in any cell in the body. Gene mutations in cancer cells cause the cell to change from a healthy cell to a cancer cell. Changes in one or more cells inside the body result in uncontrollable cell growth and division instead of the expected cell death. As a result, the abnormal cells spread into surrounding tissues.

How to prevent cancer?

These are some tips on lowering your risk of getting cancer.

Regular screening tests

Regular screenings are crucial for the early detection of breast, cervical, and colorectal (colon) cancers. That is when treatment is most likely to succeed, as you are checking your body for cancer before you have symptoms. For certain patients with high risk, lung cancer screening is also advised.

Vaccines

Defending against certain viral infections can aid in cancer prevention. Consult a medical professional about becoming vaccinated against:

• Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B increases the likelihood of liver cancer. Adults are at high risk of contracting this disease if they have sex with several partners, have a sexual partner who has sex with multiple partners or has Sexually transmitted diseases (STD).
  
  Those who inject illegal substances, males who have intercourse with other men, and healthcare or public safety employees who work with contaminated blood or other fluids are other high-risk groups.

 

• Human papillomavirus (HPV): HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and other genital cancers. The HPV vaccination is advised for boys and girls between 9 until 45 years old.

 

Healthy lifestyle choices

Lifestyle choices affect one’s chances of getting cancer. Consider these healthy lifestyle tips.

Don’t smoke or use tobacco

Smoking is associated with various cancers, including lung, mouth, throat, voice box, pancreatic, bladder, cervix, and kidney. Lung cancer risk may even rise when secondhand smoke is present.

Moreover, tobacco usage has been linked to pancreatic, oral, and throat cancer.

Have a healthy diet

Limit your intake of red meat and saturated fat, which may elevate your prostate and colon cancer risk. Instead, increase your intake of whole grains, fruits, and veggies.

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables: Your diet should primarily consist of fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods like whole grains and legumes. Consume fewer high-calorie meals to get leaner and lighter. Restrict your intake of animal-sourced fat and processed sugars.
  
  Some fruits and vegetables to include in your diet are tomatoes, brussels sprouts, broccoli, berries, cauliflower, grapes, oranges, carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes.

 

• Drink alcohol in moderation: Alcohol raises the risk of several cancers, including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, kidney, and liver. The risk rises with more consumption.

• Limit processed meats: Consuming processed meat often may raise your chance of developing several cancers.

 

Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight

Physical exercise decreases the risk of colon cancer. Also, it may help lower a woman's chance of developing breast and reproductive cancers.

Aim for 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic exercise or at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise.

You may combine easy and hard activities. Make it a point to move about for at least 30 minutes daily.

Sun protection

UV rays from the sun should be avoided since they raise the risk of melanomas and other skin cancers. Excessive UV radiation from the sun or sunbeds harms our skin cells.

Be extra careful to protect your skin when the sun is strong. You should avoid the midday sun, apply sunscreen, cover up with clothing, spend time in the shade, and avoid tanning beds and sunlamps.

Avoid risky behaviours

Risky behaviours might result in infections, raising one’s chance of developing cancer. For instance:

• Practice safe sex: Use a condom and limit your sexual partners. The likelihood of contracting an STD like HIV or HPV increases with the number of sexual partners one has throughout a lifetime.
  
  People with HIV or AIDS have a higher risk of anus, liver, and lung cancer. In addition, cervical cancer is frequently linked to HPV.

 

• Don't share needles: Sharing needles to inject drugs increases the chance of developing hepatitis B and C, which can raise the risk of developing liver cancer. See a specialist if you are worried about drug abuse or addiction.

 

Avoid exposure to radiation

Cancer can be brought on by ionizing radiation, which has enough energy to destroy DNA.

Examples of ionizing radiation include radon, x-rays, gamma rays, and other high-energy radiations.

You can check your home for residential radon, which increases the risk of lung cancer.

Avoid exposure to environmental toxins

An individual's chance of acquiring cancer may increase if exposed to specific chemicals at work, home, and the environment.

Some examples are benzene, asbestos, vinyl chloride, radon, arsenic, aromatic amines, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Symptoms of cancer

Depending on which region of the body is affected, cancer can create a variety of signs and symptoms, such as but not limited to:

• Under-the-skin lump or thickening that can be felt.

• Weight fluctuations, including unintentional loss or gain.

• Skin changes, such as skin that is becoming yellow, darkening, or red, sores that won't heal, or modifications to existing moles.

• Alterations in bowel or bladder habits.

• Persistent cough or breathing difficulties.

• Swallowing issues.

• Persistent indigestion or pain following a meal.

• Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain.

• Persistent, irrational fevers or night sweats.

• Unexpected bleeding or bruising.

 

Insurance for cancer

Although there are many steps to prevent cancer by changing your lifestyle and making healthy choices, sometimes the unfortunate happens. Thus, if you or your loved ones are affected by cancer, you’ll want to ensure you can afford treatment, which can be pretty costly. 

One way to ensure the best road to recovery is with Prudential’s Precision Medicine for Targeted Cancer Treatment in Malaysia.

Moreover, PRUMy Medical Plus offers a customizable plan that includes Precision Medicine and offers flexible & reasonable alternatives.

For additional cancer-specific coverage, check out PRUCancer X, which pays you a lump sum upon a cancer diagnosis.

To learn more about cancer insurance and how you protect yourself from an unfortunate diagnosis, read ‘Cancer Insurance: Protect Yourself from the Most Common Cancers  in Malaysia’.

Conclusion

It's crucial to understand what is normal for you and consult your doctor if you experience cancer symptoms. Some people don't have any symptoms until later stages, while others may have distinct symptoms from others.

This can assist in detecting cancer at an early stage when treatment prospects are better.