COVER STORY · APRIL 2018
Simply put: Eat right.
Exercise. Don’t smoke.
Early Detection
Healthy living also means following
recommended guidelines for cancer
screening. Early detection – finding cancer
before its symptoms are apparent, and when
it is most treatable – remains key to fighting
the disease. Symptoms for many cancers are
not obvious until the disease has reached an
advanced and more difficult to fight stage.
Screening guidelines vary according to age,
family history, and gender, but everyone
can fight cancer by staying current on their
screenings, and starting a habit of monthly
self-checks for skin and breast or testicular
cancer.
Nutrition: Managing your weight and
eating a balanced diet may bolster your
The ACS notes that 42 percent of newly
body’s defenses against cancer and other
diagnosed cancers in the U.S. are preventable.
illnesses. It’s important to reduce calories,
You might ask, what does that mean for me?
limit the intake of sugars, saturated fats,
The important lesson in that information
trans fats and alcohol, and to eat nutritious
point is all about what you can do to reduce
foods like fresh produce. The following
your cancer risk. Excess body weight, physical
nutritional guidelines are recommended:
inactivity, excess alcohol consumption,
• Substitute whole grains for refined or
tobacco use, and poor nutrition are known
processed grains.
causes of cancer. All are behaviors you can
• Limit processed and red meats, and
control – limiting bad behavior and leaning
foods high in salt and fat.
into positive steps.
• Have no more than one alcoholic drink
daily for women and two for men.
ACS data suggests many people have
• Eat at least 2 ½ cups of fruits and
adopted this approach, as an estimated 2.3
vegetables daily.
million cancer deaths have been prevented in
• Select dark, leafy greens and a variety
the U.S. since 1991 – thanks to healthy habits
of seasonal fruits and cruciferous
that start long before cancer is top of mind.
vegetables
Whatever your age, it’s never too late for
• Drink plenty of water.
healthy habits to make a difference.
Prevention
Tobacco: Eighty percent of lung cancer
mortalities are smoking related, and half
of lifetime smokers will die from tobacco-
related disease. Research consistently shows
that smoking cessation is paramount to lung
health. Smokers who quit are more likely to
live healthier, longer lives, while decreasing
lung cancer risk.
Exercise: Whether you prefer hiking,
biking, playing outside with the kids, or
an indoor option, it’s easy to stay active
year-round. Many types of cancer, including
colon, postmenopausal breast, endometrial,
kidney, pancreatic and esophageal cancers,
are associated with obesity and lack of
physical activity.
According to ACS, colon cancer is the
second most common cancer diagnosed in
both men and women, but 9 out of 10 times
it can be treated successfully when caught
early. The math lesson here: colonoscopies
save lives.
Cancer screenings, even uncomfortable ones,
are necessary. They also can result in less
invasive treatment in the instance of a cancer
diagnosis. Staying current on screenings
and annual exams can increase the odds of
detecting cancer early, before it has had a
chance to spread. This is especially important
if you have a personal or family history of
cancer.
Personalized Care
Doing the math when it comes to cancer,
ultimately comes down to this number: One.
Each patient is one patient – an individual
with a unique personal and clinical situation
that becomes the focus of medical teams
and loved ones gathered together in a
community of support. At Texas Oncology,
two important numbers are: more than 176 –
that’s how many locations we have, and more
than 4,000 – that’s the size of our combined
team delivering advanced, innovative
care without compromise to patients in
communities all across our state.
MARCELO BOEK, M.D
Marcelo Boek, M.D., is a hematologist and medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Brownsville, 2150 N. Expressway 83, in Brownsville,
Texas. To learn more about exciting advancements in cancer treatment, visit www.TexasOncology.com or call 1-888-864-I CAN (4226).
15 HEALTHY MAGAZINE