Unhealthy lifestyle can increase the risk of cancer
MORNINGSIDE – Cancer specialists at the Sandton Oncology Medical Centre explains the link between lifestyle and cancer.
Cancer specialists at the Sandton Oncology Medical Centre had a discussion about the different types of cancers namely, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancers and urological cancers and how unhealthy lifestyles can increase one’s chances of getting these cancers.
Medical oncologist Dr Sze Wai Chan and radiation oncologist Professor Bernard Donde spoke about lung cancer. “Lung cancer is very common but the diagnosis of it can be a bit tricky because its symptoms only show at a later stage, mainly, stage 4,” said Chan.
Donde said that although there are certain factors that cause different types of cancers like gene mutations, it is important to note that there are also human factors that increase the risk, like following an unhealthy lifestyle. “Like tuberculosis, lung cancer has a lot to do with inhaling harmful substances voluntarily and involuntarily, but one fact we can’t ignore is that smoking does increase your chance of getting this type of cancer,” he said.
Other ‘lifestyle cancers’ are head and neck cancers which are usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV). “This proves just how much power we have in terms of reducing cancer risks. Having one sexual partner, getting tested regularly and going for screenings really goes a long way,” Donde continued.
Dr Keorapetse Tabane and Dr Sudeshen Naidoo explained how lifestyle choices also contribute to breast cancer. “There are quite a number of human behaviour factors like taking hormone medication without consulting your doctor first, lack of exercise and poor diet,” said Naidoo.
Tabane advised that exercising at least 120 minutes a week, was a start to a healthy lifestyle.
Dr Robert de Mûelenaere and Dr Nirasha Chiranjan explained how both weight and smoking increases the chances of males getting prostate cancer.
“Quitting smoking is a lot easier than what people think, so if you do smoke this is probably a good time to stop, and if you don’t then don’t start,” de Mûelenaere advised.
Chiranjan closed the discussion by saying that it was also important to look at the psychological factors that leads one to smoke or abuse substances and overeat, in order to make the process of breaking the habit a little simpler.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/211761/sandton-oncology-hosts-breast-cancer-awareness-and-educational-talk/
