Kick Start Your Cancer Prevention Plan

Although we are still at the very dawn of trying to understand what causes cancer and what we can do to try to lower our chances of getting it, we are making progress. We are still years away from being able to eliminate the disease, but we have made tremendous progress when it comes to understanding some of the things that may increase the odds that we will develop a tumor. Though no matter how hard you try to prevent cancer the chance will always be there, there are some things you should be doing, just in case they work. One thing we can say for sure is that they won't hurt you.

Some of the greatest findings in cancer prevention have to do with nutrition. Researchers believe that fresh fruits and vegetables are the best cancer prevention tool we currently have. The mysterious pomegranate is one of the most promising fruits. It contains several chemical compounds that have been found effect in shrinking tumors, and thus preventing cancer.

Blueberries fall into the category of antioxidants. How the environment we live in effects our cells is one area of cancer research that is getting a lot of attention. Dark berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and currants are all powerful antioxidants that protect cells and should be a part of any cancer prevention plan.

Eat fish! A little red meat and pork will not kill you, at least not immediately, but only fish has proven its ability to lower the risk of cancer. Cold water fish such as salmon are the best, but any fresh fish should be part of your diet. Avoid fish that is fried or grilled and instead opt for baked fish, or even better yet, sushi.

After nutrition, exercise is the most important element in a cancer treatment plan. Maybe in 10,000 years our bodies will adapt to sitting in front of a computer eighteen hours a day, but until they do, we need exercise. Daily exercise stresses our bodies in a good way and boosts the immune system in every way possible. You do not have to train like an Olympian, but you have to ensure you get an hour of exercise every, single day. Walk, ride a bike, do aerobics, swim, work in your garden or do whatever you enjoy, but do something.

Take a deep breath, hold it, hold it, now let it out. Repeat this for ten minutes and then notice how different you feel. This is called relaxation. Stress serves a purpose when you are being chased by a tiger, but it is combined with strenuous exercise that combats the effects of stress. If you get the same stress level just by talking on the phone, the body remains in the stress mode. This leads to a reduced immune response and leaves your body open to an invasion by cancer.

There is currently no way to ensure 100% that you will never get cancer, but there are many things that seem to help. If they don't prevent cancer, they will at least make you healthier in other ways. But just imagine if they do.