Blood cancers, otherwise termed leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, affect hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. As the medical world claims it is possible to reduce our probability of attaining such diseases, we have to see what the medical world has to state about how to avoid blood cancer and enjoy healthy living.
What is blood cancer, and why should we bother?
Blood cancer starts in our blood-forming tissues, often the bone marrow, where cells do not grow or develop as they should. This type of problem with the blood is like thinking of a factory where parts are made off-spec. The parts referred to here are our blood cells; the factory refers to our bone marrow.
Indian Council of Medical Research states that blood cancers comprise around 7% of the total cancers. It talks about both adults and children. With a silver lining, simple lifestyle changes and regular checkup visits can prevent or detect these early.
What simple habits could lower our risk of developing blood cancer?
Research of Journal of Clinical Oncology shows that lifestyle factors can significantly limit our susceptibility to blood cancer. Here are some established methods of self-protection:
Physical activity: Regular physical activity can be as modest as 30 minutes a day, and results can be significant. One study of 1.44 million people showed exercise was associated with an up-to-20% reduced risk of blood cancer.
Eat whole foods: Your buddies are fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. People who consume a diet rich in these foods are found to have lower rates of blood cancer. For example, a study in China reports that eating fresh vegetables daily cuts the risk of specified types of leukemia by 25%.
Healthy weight: Excess body fat increases inflammation inside the body, which may elevate our risk of developing cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, a healthy weight could reduce around 8% of blood cancers.
How does our environment affect our blood cancer risk?
Our surroundings play a significant role in our health. Here’s what research tells us about environmental factors:
Things that might increase risk:
- Exposure to benzene (found in gasoline and some industrial chemicals)
- Certain pesticides and herbicides
- High levels of radiation exposure
- Smoking or secondhand smoke
- Regular exposure to strong chemicals
Self-protective measures
- Work in well-ventilated areas
- Use protective equipment when handling chemicals
- Avoid unnecessary Xrays
- Stay away from tobacco smoke
- Use natural cleaning products when possible
What is our workplace involvement in blood cancer prevention?
Our job can affect our risk of developing blood cancer. Studies show that certain occupations might have higher risks. For example, painters, printers, and people working with certain chemicals should take extra precautions.
If you work in these fields, make sure to:
- Use all protective equipment provided
- Follow safety guidelines carefully
- Get regular health checkups
- Report any concerns to workplace safety officers
- Keep good ventilation in your work area
How important is early detection in the prevention of blood cancer?
Although not technically a form of prevention, early detection will prevent blood cancer from becoming severe. Regular health checkups pick up problems at earlier stages when they are easier to treat. According to the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, blood cancers caught early have much better outcomes.
Note any common symptoms, like persistent tiredness, repeated infections, bruising easily, or unexplained weight loss. These may not tell that you have cancer, but they’re worth investigating.
What else should we know about family history and blood cancer?
Having a close family member who has blood cancer does not mean you have it; however, it means you should be more cautious. Research by the National Cancer Institute shows that about 10 percent of blood cancers have family ties.
If your family has blood cancer, then.
- Let your doctor know about your family history
- Be constantly examined
- Educate yourself on early warning signs
- Exert extra effort in prevention steps
Can our diet help prevent blood cancer?
Yes, what we eat matters! Multi-studies research shows that there are specific foods able to protect us from blood cancer:
Colorful fruits and vegetables: These are rich in antioxidants that work to destroy perished substances in the human body. Your best bet: eat all colors
Garlic and onions: These everyday ingredients used in Indian kitchens contain certain chemicals that do not allow certain varieties of blood cancer to develop.
Green tea: It appears remarkable that taking a cup of green tea on daily basis would minimize the rates of a specific type of blood cancer.
What do parents do to safeguard their children from blood cancer?
Parents can avoid or minimize the risk of blood cancer development in children through;
- Healthy environment: Keeping the kids away from cigarette smoke and hazardous chemicals
- Healthy Habits: Maintaining high levels of activity and eating healthy food since childhood days.
- Regular checkups: Take children to regular doctor visits so that their early problems can be detected.
Is stress related to blood cancer, and what can we do about it?
Yes, you must know that stress alone cannot be the cause of blood cancer. However, chronic stress can weaken our immune system. Thus, in this way, it may make us prone to many diseases, even cancer. However, controlling stress with yoga, meditation, or regular exercise ensures our immune system remains strong.
Conclusion:
The National Institute of Mental Health states that even chronic stress can affect our body’s immunity. So, making some time to relax is good for the mind and body.
Remember that blood cancer prevention is not about restrictive rules and living in fear. It’s about making daily healthy choices that add up to better bodily protection. After all, it’s the small changes that bring about grand improvements in health and well-being.
REFERENCE LINKS:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/cancer-prevention/art-20044816
https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/preventing-cancer/
https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/leukemia/risks/reducing-your-risk
https://x.osfhealthcare.org/services/specialties/cancer/conditions-treatments/conditions/blood
https://winshipcancer.emory.edu/cancer-types-and-treatments/leukemia/prevention.php
https://www.rgcirc.org/blog/blood-cancers-treatment-tips-to-reduce-your-risk/