Parent Magazine St Johns February 2022 | Page 27

February is National Cancer Prevention Month

By Jennifer Peludat , ARRT RT ( R )( M ) CN-BI Halifax Health – Center for Oncology , Navigator Coordinator

Cancer prevention is action taken to lower the chance of getting cancer . Cancer is not a single disease but a group of related diseases . Many things in our genes , our lifestyle and the environment around us may increase or decrease our risk of getting cancer , but research has shown that more than 40 % of all cancers diagnosed can be attributed to preventable causes . Here are some things you can do to lower your risk .

• Get screened . Early detection is part of prevention . Talk to your doctor about what screening tests you should get as part of your regular care .
• Don ’ t smoke or use tobacco . Quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do for your health .
• Be safe in the sun . Use sunscreen , and cover up when you ’ re in the sun . Stay in the shade when the sun is at its brightest – between 10:00 a . m . – 4:00 p . m .
• Get plenty of good sleep . Increasing research has shown that sleep plays a role in staying healthy . The quality of sleep you get is just as important , maybe even more important , than the quantity of sleep . Evidence suggests that poor sleep fuels inflammation which can lead to obesity , diabetes and some cancers .
• Know your risk factors . Five to 10 % of all cancers are inherited . Knowing your family history and discussing it with your primary care physician can help you decide when you should start cancer screening and whether to consider genetic counseling .
Halifax Health – Center for Oncology is a longestablished and well-known leader in the prevention , diagnosis and treatment of cancer . From the earliest preventive genetic testing to sophisticated new radiation therapies , our first-class team of experts are here for you . Visit halifaxhealth . org / cancercare to learn more .
• If you drink alcohol , drink less . The American Cancer Society recommends no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men . Consider a day of abstinence from alcohol .
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables . The American Cancer Society recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day . Maintain a normal BMI . Exercise at least 30 minutes a day .
If you need to establish care with a family doctor , Halifax Health – Primary Care physicians have extensive training and experience in treating adults , children , adolescents and seniors . Services offered include physical examinations , routine vaccinations , adolescent healthcare , women ’ s health and preventive medicine , and sick visits , as well as health education . Visit halifaxhealth . org / primarycare or call 386.425 . MYMD to learn more .
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