Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. It is expected that approximately 1 out of every 6 deaths in 2024 will result from some form of the disease. Additionally, the risk of cancer rises with age.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that preventative care, healthier lifestyle choices, and earlier screenings may help prevent 30-50% of all cancer cases from happening at all.
How Do You Get Cancer?
Our bodies are made up of numerous self-contained units called cells. It’s hard to know exactly how many, but some scientists from Italy, Greece, and Spain have suggested that the average human being may be made up of around 37.2 trillion cells.
Cells usually multiply through a process called mitosis: each cell splits into two, and then those two cells split into two each, and so on. Depending on the type of cell, mitosis can take anywhere from 1 to 24 hours.
Our bodies keep a close check on cell reproduction. Damaged and unnecessary cells die and the dead cells either grow out (hair, fingernails, and toenails), flake off (skin), or are reabsorbed into the body.
Sometimes, this process is disrupted. A cell might reproduce unnecessarily or split too fast and too often. Excess cells may not die out, and dead cells may not be removed properly. The cells thus pile up and crowd together to form tumors.
In cancers close to the body’s surface, such as breast cancer and some forms of skin cancer, tumors can sometimes be felt as hard lumps or raised patches.
Leading Cancers in the U.S.
There are up to 200 kinds of cancer and each is usually defined by the body part affected. The 2 leading cancers in the U.S. are breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Approximately 240,000 women and 2,100 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. every year. As for prostate cancer, 1 in 8 American men is at risk of getting the disease.
Top 4 Causes of Cancer
Several factors, including genetics and environmental pollution, can be considered responsible for causing cancer. The top 4 factors in the U.S. are:
- Smoking and using other forms of tobacco
- Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, tanning beds, and other artificial-light sources
- A diet heavy in red, especially processed, meats and alcohol
- Being overweight
The Potential of Preventative Care
The most important steps in preventative care for cancer are:
- Practicing a healthy lifestyle
- Getting screened for cancer at the earliest opportunity, and regularly thereafter
The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better. Your doctors will have much more success in treating cancer if it hasn’t spread too far through your body.
Not Fool-Proof, but Promising
There is no absolute guarantee that quitting smoking, avoiding the sun, eating clean, keeping your weight within a healthy range, and getting early diagnostic screenings will completely protect you from developing cancer, especially if you are at hereditary risk.
However, multiple research studies have shown that following preventative care practices can significantly reduce your risk of developing the disease.
Also, in the unfortunate event that you are diagnosed with cancer, being healthy and in good shape may considerably raise your odds of successful treatment and recovery.
Start Your Cancer Preventative Lifestyle Today
It might seem scary, but talking about cancer risks with your healthcare provider is an important first step in taking charge of your health. Make the most of your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to discuss cancer prevention and screening tests with your doctor.
The following annual cancer screenings are covered by your Medicare Part B insurance:
- Cervical and vaginal cancers (Pap smears and pelvic exams)
- Colorectal cancer (also called colon cancer)
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer (mammograms)
- Prostate cancer
Your doctor can advise which screenings are recommended for you. They can also help you draw up a wellness plan of diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications to help you get started on your journey to better health.