I know. I know. Eat your fruits and veggies. Exercise. While we all kind of agree that this MAY lower our risk of cancer, just how much seems to get glazed over. After all, Grandpa Joe smoked and drank Jim Bean until he died in a brothel accident at 106. So just how much of an impact does a good lifestyle have on cancer rates?
Something important to consider. The weight of cancer prevention seems to be towards quitting smoking. This is, of course, a no-brainer. But, as this article mentions, 80% of the population are never or former smokers, this recommendation falls on the deaf ears of the bulk of the population who are already following this recommendation.
This particular study looked at adherence to an ideal body composition, physical activity, diet, and alcohol consumption on cancer rates, heart disease fatality rates and all-cause mortality (risk of dying from anything). Those with the highest adherence had a 42% lower risk of all cause mortality, 48% lower risk of dying of heart related causes (58% for women!!!!) and a 30% lower risk of dying of cancer.
These are general lifestyle recommendations. General. As in very simple to accomplish. I could expand on the specifics in a hundred ways to make them more effective.
The bottom line is that NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING, is a powerful as lifestyle changes in lowering your risk of dying from anything. The strength of this message seems to continually be drowned out by “this for a cure” and “that for a cure” and prevention promotions sponsored by Coke (Basha’s Heart Smart T-shirts proudly promote Coke).
As a society we need to put our collective feet down and stop funding these organizations that promote a “cure” while shoving prevention with simple lifestyle changes to the fine print. Only THEN will they wake up and realize that this is what their individual charters