Can you avoid cancer? Here is what a doctor has to say
A reported 8.2-million people die from cancer worldwide every year, out of which four-million are premature deaths. Here is how you can save your life.
February 4 is World Cancer Day. The theme for 2020 is #IAmAndIWill.
World Cancer Day encourages people to raise awareness about cancer.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of millions of deaths around the world.
However, it doesn’t have to be. Early detection of it and living a healthy lifestyle can save your life.
Dr Rose Mabotja from Curewise Healthcare in Midrand says: “We can avoid certain cancers or prolong the development by having a healthy lifestyle.”
Lifestyle is not only key for people who are diagnosed with the disease, but for everyone.
“Most cancers are hereditary. They’ve got genetic predisposition. So, there are people by their genetic makeup will probably develop cancers or because one of their parents or their siblings had cancer, they will most likely have it. Their chances of having cancer are higher than the normal population,” says Dr Rose.
“But, such people can avoid it by their lifestyle.
“It is better to avoid certain things from developing than to deal with the cost of treating certain diseases. So, the same with cancer. It is better to work hard to avoid developing it. It is even cheaper than having to deal with the treatment. Treatment is very expensive.”
“Even on the people who are already diagnosed with cancer, for them to live longer, lifestyle plays a vital role,” she says.
The doctor advises that a healthy lifestyle includes choosing to eat healthy food, exercising regularly, having a stress-free life, losing weight if you are overweight, and maintaining your BMI.
She also advises that people need to go for an annual check-up. If you are at risk of any cancer developing, the doctors can see it early and deal with it.
“So, we are saying for people who are healthy, an annual check-up is enough,” she says.
Dr Rose adds that doctors will know which signs to look out for.
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