It’s a cold, hard fact: More Americans die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. And although there is no sure way to prevent lung cancer, you can take steps to lower the risk of this disease to better protect yourself and your family.
Lung cancer and the smoking factor
Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. To help prevent lung cancer, do whatever it takes to avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Here’s how:
- Don’t smoke – Never smoked? Don’t start!
- Stop smoking now –The sooner you quit, the sooner your risk of lung cancer begins to decrease, even if you’ve smoked for years. Talk to your doctor about strategies and stop-smoking aids that can help you quit.
- Avoid secondhand smoke –Avoid areas where people smoke, like bars or restaurant patios.
Chemicals and lung cancer risk
It’s important to be aware of the chemicals to which you could be exposed, so you can take action to reduce or avoid that exposure. Here’s how:
- Check your home for radon – If you live in an area where radon is a known problem, this is a must. Contact your local department of public health for radon information.
- Avoid workplace carcinogens – Reducing your exposure to toxic chemicals can be as simple as following your employer’s safety protocol to a “T.” You can also ask your doctor what more you can do to protect yourself at work.
- Asbestos is found in older buildings and is known to cause a common form of lung cancer called Mesothelioma. Make sure to take the necessary precautions if there’s a chance you may be exposed to asbestos.
A healthy lifestyle can help lower lung cancer risk
You could gain an upper hand on your odds of developing lung cancer by making modifications to your nutrition and exercise routines, such as:
- Eat smart –Certain nutrient-rich fruits and non-starchy vegetables have been linked to reducing the risk of lung cancer. Include some in each meal.
- Work it out – Exercise for 150 minutes at moderate intensity (walking a 20-minute mile) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (or a combination of these) each week. You can hit those targets by walking for 30 minutes five days a week.
Leading-edge cancer care is close to home
Despite the most diligent efforts, cancer cannot always be avoided. Should you or a loved one find yourself facing a lung cancer diagnosis, you won’t be alone. The caring and credentialed physicians at Alpha Med Physicians Group provide leading edge lung cancer treatment in the Chicago area. And we do so with a patient-first approach and complete support that can make all the difference in your care.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 708-342-1900 or click here to use our online form.