Go healthy, cut cancer risk: professor
A visiting medical epidemiologist has estimated at least 100 cancers a day could be prevented just by adopting a healthier lifestyle.
Berghofer Medical Research Institute professor David Whiteman, due to give a speech in Perth today, said healthier lifestyles would translate to about 37,000 fewer people a year or 100 people less a day being diagnosed with cancer.
The message comes on World Cancer Day, a worldwide campaign to raise awareness.
The campaign this year is focusing on prevention rather than cure, and Cancer Council WA regional education officer Pam Foulkes-Taylor outlined seven tips to reduce cancer risk.
“Stop smoking — the best present you will ever give yourself; move your body — be physically active every day; stay in shape — aim for a healthy body weight; eat for health — choose a varied diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables; be SunSmart — protect yourself from the sun and take care not to burn; avoid alcohol — try alcohol-free days and non-alcoholic drinks; look after number one — know your body, visit your doctor regularly and participate in screening programs,” she said.
“These lifestyle measures do have an impact on your overall cancer risk, plus there is plenty of evidence to show that adopting these changes improves your chance of a successful recovery.”
One Kalgoorlie-Boulder man took the message seriously after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year.
The scare came after he was also diagnosed with diabetes, prompting Graeme Wood to make manageable and sustainable changes to his life.
A lover of weekly fish and chips and pies, the 57-year-old cut out all fast food and alcohol, and has a run on the treadmill every morning. He has since shed about 13kg.
“Now that I’ve done it, I don’t have to worry about it anymore,” he told the Kalgoorlie Miner.
“I feel more positive but I’m just taking each day as it comes.”
Mr Wood expects to find out in April this year if he needs further radiology treatment.
He said it was not too difficult to make the changes, because it was something he needed to do.
Cancer is now the biggest killer in Australia, overtaking heart disease, according to the
