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Lung cancer has always been a leading cause of death for men, and in 1987 lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as the number one cause of death for women. By actively engaging in lung cancer prevention by following the tips below you can stop lung cancer from threatening your life.
Drink Green Tea. Research has shown that drinking 5 cups of green tea (40 oz.) a day reduces the risk of lung cancer. If 40 oz. of green seems like a lot to you, you can also buy organic 100% green tea tablets to take on a daily basis. There are other health benefits included with green tea such as the prevention of other types of cancers, heart disease, diabetes and green tea has been known to help with weight loss.
Eat Leafy Green Vegetables. You should have at least 3 serving of leafy green vegetables a day. Leafy green vegetables are full of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and flavonoids – antioxidants that help rid your body of toxic chemicals that could potentially cause health problems such as lung cancer. Broccoli for example, contains properties that block the enzymes that start the formation of lung cancer. Simply eating 1 cup of chopped romaine lettuce can provide you with the daily percentage of Vitamin A that you need to help fend off lung cancer.
Stop Smoking. The greatest cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoke. Exposure to both first and second hand smoke from cigarettes damages lung tissue and causes cell mutations. The longer you are exposed the more mutated cells generate and eventually tumors form that block air and constrict the lungs. The best thing you can do for lung cancer prevention is to stop smoking. There are many ways to stop, including nicotine gum, patches and therapy.
Avoid Sleep Deprivation. Getting less than 8 full hours of sleep, or not getting good quality sleep, severely compromises your immune system and increases your risk of developing lung cancer. If you are not well rested on a regular basis your body will not be able to fight off lung cancer as effectively. Go to bed earlier, take a sleeping pill, de-stress your life, drink a warm glass of milk before bed – anything to help you get the sleep you need.
Exercise Regularly. Living a sedentary life greatly increases the risk of all health problems, including lung cancer. Exercising regularly boosts your immune system. When your blood is pumping hard you actually flush white blood cells that stick to your artery walls back into circulation around the body (white blood cells are the soldiers in your body’s immune system and fight against health problems). Doctors recommend getting at least 30 minutes of blood-pumping exercise 5 days a week for your body to be able to effectively fight off cancer and other health problems.
Test for Radon. Radon exposure is another leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is a radioactive gas caused by the natural breakdown of radium in soil and rocks. When this gas is breathed in cells in your lung tissue become damaged and begin to mutate – eventually resulting in lung cancer. You can purchase kits that test for radon in the foundation and surrounding land of your home, children’s school and your work place. If you detect radon, permanently remove yourself from the premises and report such findings to your local Environmental Control. Changing school, work or residence locations is a small price to pay for lung cancer prevention.
Limit exposure to industrial agents. Exposure to carcinogens can cause lung cancer to develop later on in life. Certain chemicals such as asbestos, uranium, arsenic, certain petroleum products, nickel, chromate, and vinyl chloride should be avoided at all costs. These chemicals can be found in building materials, cleaning products, polluted water, and even skin care products (especially petroleum based products). Do your research and find out what types of agents you may be exposing you and your family to, and replace them with organically-based ingredients.
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