How to Drop Your Skin Cancer Risk
You wear it every day. Yet, every day germs, pollutants, toxins, and radiation can weaken and damage it. We’re talking about your skin. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation (which can come from the sun, tanning booths, and sunlamps) is the main cause of skin cancer—the most common type of cancer in the United States. There are more new cases of skin cancer each year than breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer combined!
What if there was a simple, natural, cheap way to prevent breast cancer? One of the most underestimated risk factors for breast cancer is lack of physical activity. A recent review of all past research looking into breast cancer and exercise found that more than 1 hour of physical activity each day can reduce a women’s risk for breast cancer significantly.
Can there be any good news about skin cancer? Thankfully, yes. Skin cancer can be cured if detected and treated early. Called the “lifestyle disease”, 75% of skin cancer cases can be prevented by taking simple steps or making simple changes to dramatically reduce the risk.
Protect Yourself from the Outside In!
You may have already heard that it’s best to avoid being in the sun during midday hours, when UV rays are at their worst (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Are the outdoors inevitable between those hours for you? If that’s the case, be prepared to cover up. Did you find some shade? Don’t forget, UV rays can also reflect off surfaces like sand, water, and cement.
As you start to store away your winter layers, don’t forget to keep a few hats around. Long sleeves and at least 2 tablespoons of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher also go a long way in helping you protect your skin from damaging rays. Don’t be fooled by cloudy days! UV rays can penetrate clouds and still reach your skin.
Protect Yourself from the Outside In!
A diet rich in plant-based foods can give you the natural cancer-killing chemicals you need to prevent skin cancer. These naturally found chemicals include
resveratrol (found in red wine, grapes, and berries), sulphorafane (found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale), terpenes (found in saffron, ginger, turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon), and kamperol (found in grape fruit and tea).
Your skin is an important part of your body’s defense system. Damaged skin means a weakened defense system. Many medical researchers agree that overexposure to UV radiation can suppress the immune system. A reduced immunity leaves a person vulnerable to skin cancer and a host of other diseases. Focus on keeping your immune system strong.
