Introduction to the Oncology Care Unit

Most types of cancer can be prevented by following basic steps to reduce their risks. Here are eight simple tips that include actions such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco use. There are also additional steps that can reduce the risk of specific types of cancer.

·  Follow a Healthy Diet: Increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with plant-based foods like whole grains, in your daily diet.

·  Maintain an Ideal Weight: Maintain an ideal weight by choosing foods with lower calories, limiting sugars, and reducing animal fats.

·  Limit Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer.

·  Quit Smoking: Different types of tobacco can cause cancers such as oral, throat, lung, and pancreatic cancer. Deciding to quit smoking helps protect against cancer risk.

·  Vaccination:

1. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: Helps protect women from cervical cancer and other types of cancer.

2. Hepatitis B vaccine: Protects against liver cancer.

·  Limit Processed Meat Intake: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of the World Health Organization, has confirmed that reliance on processed meats increases the risk of certain types of cancer.

·  Avoid Sun Exposure: Long-term sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, which is the most common type. To protect yourself:

▶️  Wear protective sunglasses.

▶️  Cover exposed areas of your skin.

▶️  Use sunscreen every two hours.

▶️  Avoid tanning beds as they are harmful, just like natural sunlight.

·  Avoid Virus Transmission: It’s important to prevent the transmission of certain viruses that increase the risk of liver cancer, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.