An oncologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer. There are lifestyle choices you can make to take to minimize your chances of being diagnosed with a malignancy. Sometimes, this disease strikes for no reason; other times, lifestyle choices have led to having a cancer diagnosis.
You Are What You Eat
Diet plays a huge part in a healthy lifestyle. Eating fresh, natural, preservative-free food can go a long way in keeping you from needing to schedule an appointment with an oncologist. Heavily processed food has been linked with digestive cancers. Obesity also adversely impacts health and can lead to carcinomas more readily than normal weights. Eating excessive sugar has been connected with recurrence of cancer in patients who’ve already gone through treatment. Alcohol can also be detrimental if consumed in excessive amounts. Stomach, pancreas, and digestive tracts can stay healthier with proper diet. Speaking of foods, nursing a baby is linked with lower incidences of breast cancer in the mom.
No Smoking
Smoking tobacco is also a big no-no if you don’t want to end up being treated by an oncologist. There’s even a written warning on the side of every cigarette package. Lung cancer and other malignancies in breathing pathways can occur because of the lifestyle habit of lighting up. Chewing tobacco isn’t safe, either. Many chewers end up with lip, tongue, and mouth cancers from enjoying this method of tobacco consumption. Secondhand smoke is dangerous, as well. Bladder and prostate cancers can occur from being in the constant vicinity of a smoker.
Environment
Your environment also plays a part in whether you might end up with cancer. Being around contaminants, chemicals, or even huge amounts of stress can cause your cells to reproduce in unnatural ways. Your drinking water should be tested so that you know your chug-a-lugging pure H2O. If you work at a factory or plant that is resplendent with contaminants or dangerous amounts of radiation, make sure you take every precaution you can to keep yourself safe.
Preventative Exams
Going for regular checkups is another way to keep the Big C away from your door. Having well woman checks, mammograms, prostate exams, and annual physicals can nip any problem in the bud before trouble gets out of hand. Even going to the dentist for checkups can save you from being a victim of undetected oral cancers.
In the event that you do end up with a cancer diagnosis, an oncologist can prescribe an effective treatment plan to help you heal. Medical research has progressed in leaps and bounds so that patients can be cured in great numbers. Practicing healthy lifestyle habits can improve your chances of staying cancer-free.