In today’s time, the most common types of cancer affecting people are colon cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer. Every year, around 20 million people are diagnosed with cancer, and approximately 10 million deaths occur due to it annually.
To reduce the risk of cancer, eating healthy food, exercising, smoking less, and drinking alcohol in moderation are the basic things that everyone knows. Before discussing how to prevent cancer, we must first understand what cancer actually is.
What is Cancer?
Our body is made up of cells. Just like when you build a house, you join one brick to another to complete the structure, in the same way, our entire body is built from cells. After regular intervals, a cell divides — one cell becomes two, then two become four, then four become sixteen, and so on.
This happens because when a cell’s life cycle ends or it dies, it is replaced by new cells.
Under normal conditions, cells divide in a controlled manner. However, if they start growing uncontrollably—whether the body needs new cells or not—they continue to divide and multiply. This leads to the formation of a tumor, which can eventually develop into cancer.
If cancer cells spread from one part of the body to another distant part, this condition is called Metastasis.
How to Prevent Cancer
Intermittent fasting
Our body constantly renews its cells — old cells die and new ones are formed. However, sometimes damaged cells start to accumulate in the body, which over time can increase the risk of cancer. This is where fasting plays an important role. When you fast, the body activates a process called autophagy. The function of autophagy is to remove or “eat up” the damaged cells from the body, helping to keep it healthy.
This is the concept of fasting — a person should practice it for about 4 to 5 days a month. In the beginning, you can try fasting for 4 to 5 days, and later, if possible, you may increase the duration. However, fasting for too many days can make you weak.
Turmeric and black paper combo
In a glass of warm water, add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a pinch of ground black pepper, and drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. Turmeric powder has strong anti-cancer properties and helps protect the body’s cells.
Green Tea
It contains a special compound called EGCG. This compound targets the internal processes of the cells that are responsible for abnormal cell growth.
Function of EGCG compound
· Natural Source: EGCG is a powerful antioxidant mainly found in green tea.
· Cell Protection: It helps protect healthy cells from damage caused by free radicals.
· Prevents Abnormal Growth: EGCG slows down or stops the growth of abnormal or cancerous cells.
· Promotes Cell Repair: It supports the body’s natural process of repairing damaged cells.
· Reduces Inflammation: EGCG helps lower inflammation, which is often linked to cancer development.
· Boosts Immunity: It strengthens the immune system, helping the body fight abnormal cell growth.
· Blocks Tumor Formation: Research suggests EGCG may help prevent tumor forma
Use Natural Cleaning Product
The chemical-based powders or liquids we use at home for cleaning often contain formaldehyde and benzene, which are major causes of cancer. Instead of using these harmful chemicals, you can use baking soda as a natural and safer alternative for cleaning at home
· Carcinogenic Chemicals: Both formaldehyde and benzene are classified as carcinogens — substances known to cause cancer.
· Found in Household Products: They are often found in cleaning agents, paints, air fresheners, and disinfectants.
· Airborne Exposure: These chemicals can be released into the air and inhaled, leading to long-term health risks.
· Cell Damage: They damage DNA and healthy body cells, which can trigger uncontrolled cell growth.
· Linked to Cancers: Benzene is linked to leukemia (blood cancer), while formaldehyde is associated with throat, nasal, and lung cancers.
· Skin and Eye Irritation: Long-term exposure can also cause irritation, allergies, and breathing problems.
· Safer Alternatives: Natural cleaners like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice are safer and non-toxic substitutes.
· Proper Ventilation: Always ensure good ventilation when using any chemical-based products to reduce exposure.
Avoid Plastic Cups, Bottles and Containers
The plastic bottles we use daily at the office, while traveling, or at home for drinking water are very dangerous. These plastics often contain chemicals like BPA (Bisphenol A) and PHT (Phthalates), which severely disturb the body’s hormonal balance. This hormonal disruption can become a major cause of cancer.
Limit blue Light Exposure at night
In today’s daily life, a person’s basic needs seem to be a mobile phone, laptop, and TV. Without these three things, many people feel like their mind stops working. However, excessive use of these devices stops the body’s production of melatonin, a hormone responsible for sleep.
Melatonin plays a very important role in preventing cancer, as it helps the body rest, repair, and regulate cell growth. Therefore, always stay away from your mobile, laptop, and TV before going to sleep.
Avoid brunt or charred foods
You should never eat burnt food. For example, if your roti gets burnt, you might still eat it, or foods like fried chicken and other grilled items are often eaten after being slightly burnt. Eating slightly burnt food occasionally is not harmful, but if you regularly consume heavily burnt food, it can produce chemicals called HCA (Heterocyclic Amines) and PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons). These chemicals are known to be major causes of cancer.
Moderate Sun Exposure
The rays of the sun provide the human body with Vitamin D. We generally know that Vitamin D helps strengthen our bone system and boosts our immunity. However, it also plays a major role in preventing cancer. If you are unable to get enough sunlight or are too busy to spend time outdoors, you should consider taking Vitamin D capsules as a supplement.
Use Non Toxic Personal Care products
The chemicals we use daily in our personal care products often contain parabens and phthalates, which are known to be causes of cancer.
· Common in Personal Care Products: These chemicals are found in shampoos, lotions, deodorants, perfumes, and cosmetics.
· Hormone Disruption: Both parabens and phthalates can interfere with the body’s hormonal system, especially estrogen balance.
· Cell Growth Stimulation: Parabens may mimic estrogen, which can promote the growth of certain types of cancer cells, such as breast cancer.
· Toxic to Organs: Phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, and reproductive organs over time.
· Absorbed Through Skin: They easily enter the body through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion.
· Linked to Tumor Formation: Long-term exposure has been associated with tumor formation and DNA damage.
· Widespread Use: Because they are used as preservatives and fragrance stabilizers, avoiding them requires checking product labels carefully.
· Safer Alternatives: Choose personal care products labeled “paraben-free” and “phthalate-free” for better safety.
